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Plot |
1.
Does the story
have recognizable structure i.e. point of action, complications, climax,
falling action and resolution
2.
Is the first
chapter really interesting and start with an action
3.
Does each scene
have a goal, conflict, action and disaster.
4.
Do the sequels
start with a reaction and end in a decision for the dilemma which will in
turn lead to some kind of action.
5.
Do the scenes
move fast enough with less description, back story and shorter sentences.
6.
Are the sequels
just long enough and not too long. If you’re tempted to skim, they probably
are.
7.
Do the subplots
tie in seamlessly with the plot and do they follow the basic plot structure.
8.
For each scene
is the POV and VP character clear.
9.
Is the theme
coming through naturally and not contrived.
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Characters |
1.
Are your
characters unique or can you find them somewhere if you can think hard
enough. Give them unique histories, unique personalities and personalized
quirks.
2.
Are all main
characters well developed and are they acting true to their intended nature
3.
Is the main
character sympathetic to the reader and is he someone you and the reader can
understand and relate to
4.
Does the main
character have a compelling enough goal that failure to meet would lead to
some kind of tragic loss
5.
Does the main
character change into a better, worse or a more mature person by the end of
the story
6.
Pay close
attention to what the characters are seeing and feeling.
7.
Make sure of
the appearance and disappearance of characters. Make it logical.
8.
Make sure that
characters still look and act the same way.
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Setting |
1.
Is it spread in
sprinklings all through the story or is it overloaded in one place.
2.
Is the
description done by showing the characters experience of it rather than just
telling us what everything looks like.
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Dialogue |
1.
If it doesn’t
drive the plot forward, provide information about the characters or show the
relationship between characters – kill it. Don’t write in complete
grammatical sentences.
2.
Is it
believable
3.
Get rid of most
of the chitchat and social niceties
4.
Instead of
using dialogue tags instead just start the action immediately.
5.
Start a new
line even if one character doesn’t talk
6.
Freeze the
conversation with a few sentences of prose
7.
Ellipses show
the characters trailing off and dashes to show the characters being cut off
by another
8.
For each
conversation you provide, each character must have his/her voice. Don’t use
difficult words for a farm boy.
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Description |
1.
Replace
abstract nouns like she was happy with an action like she smiled.
2.
Is it vivid and
vibrant
3.
It must be
balanced with dialogue and narration
4.
Do all scenes
use all the five senses.
5.
In any
particular paragraph not more than three senses should be used otherwise
you’re just overdoing it.
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Writing Style |
1.
Delete
adjectives
2.
Replace adverbs
with stronger verbs like spoke quietly with whispered
3.
Delete weak
qualifiers like really, very, rather, little, somewhat, extremely, quite.
4.
For overused
words check for synonyms. You can use the find feature to check for overused
words and phrases.
5.
Replace
Negatives i.e. Mary didn’t like Tom instead use a positive like Mary hated
Tom, Overused words with synonyms and Abstract words like happy, angry with
actions that display the emotion
6.
Replace passive
voices like she was eaten to active voice like the shark ate her.
7.
Delete clichés
8.
Check if you
have the same reactions for different characters when experiencing the same
emotion. Both Lila and Cameron should not run their hands through their hair
when they’re angry.
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Grammar |
1.
Check
punctuation
2.
Check
spellings, autocheck is not enough.
3.
Cut down over
clunky sentences by reducing their length.
4.
Make sure the
tense is the same throughout your novel.
5.
Vary sentence,
paragraph, scene and chapter lengths
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Title |
1.
You don’t have
to come up with a title immediately but its always good to have a standby
2.
Has it been
used before
3.
Is it
appropriate to the genre; imagine a horror novel titled ‘How to be happy’.
The audience you’re targeting will wonder if you went a bit nutty like your
characters.
4.
Does it attract
attention
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Formatting |
1.
Does it meet
the publisher’s demands on font, spacing, margins. If not then move on to two
2.
Font size 12
and justified text.
3.
Font color
black
4.
1 inch margins,
and double spacing between paragraphs (no extra spaces between).
5.
First line of
each paragraph indented by ½ an inch.
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Thursday, 2 August 2012
Quick Editing Checklist
Labels:
revising
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