Narrative DeliveryIntermediate
Time Stretch
A brief physical moment expands to hold perception, memory, or thought.
Principle
Clock time can pause when reading time needs pressure.
Takeaways
- It lets interiority, dread, recognition, or memory enter a small action.
- A clear physical frame keeps the expansion anchored.
- Overuse makes scenes feel stalled rather than intensified.
Overview
Time stretch occurs when the narration dilates a small action, such as drawing breath or lifting a hand, so the prose can carry inner movement, perception, or memory. It is a local pacing tool: story-time slows while reading-time thickens.
Examples
- A character reaches for a cup and remembers the last hand that touched it.
- The second before a door opens expands into a paragraph of dread.