"pace yourself" what does this phrase mean? it means to take is easy, to do things at reasonable speed that you can handle.

in the language of writing "pacing" refers to the speed at which the story moves.

you need to find a happy medium. if the story consists of way too many fast paced scenes, the audience will be turned away, as there's way too much stuff happening. if the pacing is too slow, the story is boring. your story should have a mixture of fast paced and slow paced scenes.

fast pacing should be resevered for things that are sudden and intense, like fight scenes and such. slow pacing usually is used for quiet scenes with characterization.

for example, your MC gets into a fight, and its fast paced and intense! but, as the fight ends, his girlfriend comes into the scene and heals his injuries. this scene is quiet and slow.

your stories pacing should resemble one of those heart monitors on tv. a series of ups and downs.

also, make sure you emphasize the right things. important things like plot-crucial elements should be described in way more detail than given more emphasis than a filler scene in a dinner. your chapters should also have a general overview and setting- "in chapter three, john finds out about the big mystery. in chapter four, he confronts sally. in chapter five, sally reveals her secret". keeping to that will prevent your chapters from becoming hectic and confusing and too filled with ideas

give your audience time for things to sink in. just had an awesome plot twist? you should probably follow up that scene with something slow to let the audience realize what just happened. really hit them with the feels with a quiet, heartfelt scene right after an action sequence. and, naturally, your climax should be fast paced.