Would it be best to speed up everything and not focus as much on building relationships or keep things as is?

[Guest]

Need some opinions. I’m writing an epic fantasy. This is the third book in the series and so far it’s been a travel journey type story. This third book also features travel, but there’s a spot towards the middle where the characters settle in a place for about 20k words. Here, I focus on building relationships while also bringing my MC into a rebel group he’s been searching for for the past two books, while also moving the plot forward. But as a result the story is moving slow.

Would it be best to speed up everything and not focus as much on building relationships or keep things as is? I know every chapter should drive the plot forward, and they all do, but I admit there may be a chapter or two focused solely on characters talking and building development with plot points sprinkled in (they eventually talk about what’s happening in the plot).

Should I get to the point and worry about relationships later or try and establish them now?

[Judah]

Developing character is also moving the story forward. It gives meaning and depth to everything that follows. That aside, if these sections ‘feel’ slow, it probably is more an issue of tension than pacing. Consider raising the personal stakes for the characters in these scenes and potentially layering in a fast paced subplot every other chapter to keep the excitement going. This subplot could potentially be the antagonist. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[William]

Conflict/stakes
If there’s something to lose it doesn’t matter if they’re staying in one place