How to Add Pauses to Your Script
Learn the correct way to add pauses and breaks in your hypnosis scripts for predictable, professional audio pacing.
Prerequisites
- •Basic understanding of the script editor
- •An existing or new script to edit
Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding Break Tags
Hypnothera uses a specific format for pauses called break tags. The format is: <break time='Xs'/> where X is the number of seconds you want to pause. For example, <break time='3s'/> creates a 3-second pause. This is the ONLY reliable way to control pause timing in your audio.
Using the Add Break Button
The easiest way to add pauses is using the 'Add Break' button in the script editor. Click the button and select from preset durations (1, 3, or 5 seconds) or use a custom duration. The break tag will be inserted at your cursor position.
What Does NOT Work for Pauses
Common mistakes that will NOT create reliable pauses: 1) Ellipsis (...) - these create unpredictable, inconsistent pauses. 2) New lines or blank lines - these are ignored by the text-to-speech system. 3) Multiple spaces - these are also ignored. 4) Dashes or double-dashes (--) - while we can convert these, break tags are preferred.
Why Ellipsis Don't Work
Many users expect '...' to create pauses, but the text-to-speech system interprets ellipsis inconsistently. Sometimes it creates a tiny pause, sometimes a longer one, and sometimes no pause at all. This leads to audio that doesn't match your expectations. Use <break time='1s'/> instead for a predictable 1-second pause.
Why New Lines Don't Work
Pressing Enter to create blank lines in your script does NOT create pauses in the audio. The text-to-speech system reads the text continuously regardless of line breaks. If you want a pause between paragraphs, you must add an explicit break tag like <break time='3s'/>.
Recommended Pause Durations
For hypnotherapy scripts: 1-2 seconds for brief pauses between phrases, 3-4 seconds for transitional moments and allowing suggestions to sink in, 5-6 seconds for deeper relaxation points, and 7-10 seconds for visualization moments where the listener needs time to imagine scenes.
Using Optimize Notation
If you've already written a script with ellipsis or other notation, use the 'Optimize Notation' button. This tool will automatically convert ellipsis to proper break tags and fix other formatting issues. Review the changes before applying them.
Best Practices
Place break tags on their own line for readability. Use consistent timing for similar moments in your script. Don't overuse pauses - too many can make the audio feel disjointed. Test your script by generating audio and listening to ensure the pacing feels natural.
Tips & Best Practices
- Use <break time='3s'/> for a 3-second pause - this is the most common duration for hypnotherapy
- Never use ellipsis (...) if you want predictable pause timing
- New lines and blank lines do NOT create pauses - always use break tags
- The 'Optimize Notation' feature can convert your ellipsis to proper break tags
- For deep relaxation moments, use longer pauses (5-8 seconds)
- Place break tags after sentences, not in the middle of them
- Listen to your generated audio to verify the pacing is correct
Troubleshooting
Problem: Pauses are inconsistent or unpredictable
Solution: You're likely using ellipsis (...) instead of break tags. Replace all ellipsis with <break time='Xs'/> tags, or use the 'Optimize Notation' button to do this automatically.
Problem: No pauses where I expected them
Solution: New lines, blank lines, and multiple spaces do NOT create pauses. Add explicit <break time='Xs'/> tags where you want pauses.
Problem: Audio sounds rushed without enough pauses
Solution: Add break tags between major sections and after important suggestions. Use 3-5 second pauses to let suggestions sink in.
Problem: Break tags appear as spoken text in the audio
Solution: Ensure you're using the correct format: <break time='3s'/> with the angle brackets, single quotes, and forward slash. Any deviation may cause the tag to be read aloud.
Problem: I have too many ellipsis to convert manually
Solution: Use the 'Optimize Notation' button in the script editor. It will automatically find and convert all ellipsis to proper break tags.
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