How Taj’s Sabbatical Is a Lesson in Building Momentum in a Story

 

Good stories move. Great ones gather momentum, each scene tightening the thread until the reader is pulled forward, unable to look away. 

Artell Smith and Troy Smith’s Taj’s Sabbatical does exactly that. Beneath its sleek sci-fi exterior—filled with clone conspiracies, law enforcement intrigue, and interplanetary tension, it’s a masterclass in how to build narrative drive without sacrificing emotional depth.

Starting in Stillness, Moving Toward Storm

When we meet Taj Varma, the protagonist of the book, he’s a veteran law enforcer hoping for a much-needed break. He’s earned his rest, but the story refuses to let him take it. That tension—between the life he wants and the duty he can’t escape becomes the quiet spark that powers the entire novel. Instead of throwing readers into chaos from the first page, Smith begins with reflection. The stillness at the start gives the later action its punch.

It’s a reminder that momentum isn’t about nonstop motion; it’s about control. The authors let Taj breathe, question, and remember before they let him run. So when the mission begins, the emotional stakes are already loaded.

Layered Conflict, Not Just Action

Every scene in Taj’s Sabbatical pushes forward on more than one level. A chase through a lunar port isn’t just about evading danger; it’s about confronting the past. A political betrayal isn’t just a plot twist; it’s a test of Taj’s loyalty to his own moral compass. The book’s pacing rises not because the chapters get louder, but because each one adds weight.

The Smiths build momentum the way gravity works quietly, constantly, pulling everything toward its inevitable collision.

The Emotional Burden of Love

At the heart of Taj’s Sabbatical lies a mission that transforms duty into devotion. Taj isn’t chasing glory or protecting an empire; he’s racing to rescue his husband, Taddy, after a series of clone attacks and a chilling ultimatum. That personal stake infuses the story with emotional urgency. Every chase, every confrontation, every moment of hesitation carries the weight of love and fear intertwined.

In the midst of technology, cloning conspiracies, and galactic law, Taj’s Sabbatical never forgets that its true gravity lies in the heart of one man who refuses to lose the person he loves.

What Writers Can Learn

Momentum in storytelling requires accumulation. Each decision Taj makes builds on the last, until every page feels inevitable. The authors understand that movement without meaning is noise, and meaning without movement is inertia. Taj’s Sabbatical thrives in the space between the two.

Coming from an author best known for works like A Death at Christmas and Other Wondrous Events and Champions Needed, Artell Smith proves that pacing, like leadership, is about timing, restraint, and empathy. With Taj’s Sabbatical, he and Troy Smith show that the art of momentum isn’t just about getting somewhere fast—it’s about making sure every step matters.

Visit ArtellSmith to learn more about their work.