48 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
48 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Metrics
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category: Timeline
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tags: timeline, metrics, pacing, intensity, emotion
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contextKey: timeline.metrics
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micro: Use scene metrics to sketch pacing and emotional shape.
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quickTitle: Timeline metrics
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quickSummary: Metrics are author-defined pacing tools that help you see intensity, tension, emotion, action, mystery and other story qualities across scenes.
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screenshot:
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---
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# Overview
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Metrics are author tools, not objective measurements. A value is your judgement about what the scene is doing. The Timeline turns those judgements into a pacing shape so you can see peaks, rests, repetition and contrast.
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# Common Metrics
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Overall Intensity represents the combined pressure of the scene. Raise it for climaxes, confrontations and major reversals. Lower it for recovery, setup or quiet reflection.
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Tension represents suspense, uncertainty and pressure. Raise it when danger, secrets or stakes tighten. Lower it when answers arrive or characters get breathing room.
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Emotional Weight represents how strongly the scene lands emotionally. Raise it for grief, confession, betrayal, intimacy or sacrifice. Lower it for lighter connective scenes.
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Action represents physical movement and external incident. Raise it for fights, chases, escapes and urgent activity. Lower it for dialogue, planning or introspection.
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Darkness represents grimness, threat, moral cost or bleakness. Raise it for cruelty, loss or dread. Lower it when the scene restores safety or warmth.
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Romance represents romantic development. Raise it for attraction, intimacy, longing, conflict or commitment. Lower it when romance is not the scene's main work.
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Sexual Charge represents sensual or erotic tension. Raise it when desire is deliberately present. Lower it when intimacy is emotional, practical or absent.
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Violence represents physical harm or threat. Raise it for combat, injury or brutality. Lower it for scenes without violent pressure.
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Hope / Lightness represents relief, optimism, tenderness or brightness. Raise it when the story gives readers air. Lower it when the scene closes down possibility.
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Comedy represents humour and comic release. Raise it for jokes, irony, banter or absurdity. Lower it when humour would undercut the intended tone.
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Mystery represents unanswered questions, clues and hidden information. Raise it for discoveries, suspicious details and reveals that create more questions. Lower it after answers land.
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# How Metrics Help Pacing
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Metrics help you compare intention against shape. If every scene is high intensity, readers may feel numb. If a mystery has a long flat stretch, the clue trail may need attention. If hope never rises, the book may feel darker than intended.
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# Related Guides
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- [Scene Metrics](/Help/Article/sceneMetrics.overview)
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- [Story Health Scene Metric Shape](/Help/Article/storyHealth.sceneMetricShape)
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