Writing tip #12: If your pacing feels too slow, it’s probably for one of these reasons:

• the scene is too long
• the scene is too wordy
• too much description and inner monologue, not enough action
• nothing is happening that pushes the plot forward

P.S. These little writing tips are re-posts from my Twitter account. Follow me there if you want to see more. xoxo

If your character has a trait you consider one of their key features and it is never challenged in anyway, that trait will probably have about as much impact as their “tiny mole on their left buttcheek” trait. 

For that trait NOT to fall totally flat, one or more of these things need to happen:

• The trait exacerbates a situation in a bad way. (An extremely honest and trusting character reveals an important secret to the Big Bad’s lackey)
  

• The character is given a choice to either act according to their traits or to subvert them. Often the subversion has the better outcome. They either maintain their trait and take a risk, or character development ensues. (A greedy character must escape. Leaving behind their riches goes against their very being, but it would allow them to escape easier. If they try to take some of their treasure with them, they do so at massive risk.)
  

•  The character is put in an environment or must work with a person that opposes their trait. (An extremely tidy person must live in their slob cousin’s filthy apartment for a week. / The character has a debilitating fear of being alone and they are stranded on their own on an island.)
  

• The character is put in a situation that requires them to suppress their trait (A hotheaded character needs to have polite discourse with someone they hate)