Climaxes can be the most memorable part of a novel. It’s the moments when your characters’ futures are decided. Everything has been brought together for a final struggle and…personally, my writing usually stalls right about then.

And I think it’s partly because of the nature of a climax. Just before the climax, you get to where you can see the ending. It’s right there before you–all the resolution and denouement, with its wrapping and bows, its tears or laughter, just waiting for you–but you have to cross the bridge of the climax first.

And the bridge isn’t usually as short as it seems. It takes a lot of work and it can get discouraging. So, to help simplify things, here are six elements of great climaxes (and why I usually take a break, gathering my creative resources before I plunge in).

• A Change in Pace. Time tends to stand still…