Self-Editing Checklist

(* Adapted from Revising Fiction by Kirt Hickman)

AUTHORING

Concept:

Determine your theme.

World building (as needed).

Physical World (Map?)

Moral codes

Economics

Domestic Politics

World Politics

Religion

Paranormal Elements (if any)

Scientific Advancement

Day-to-day life (how does it differ from reality)

All must mesh into a coherent whole

Characters:

Determine the following for each major character:

Physical traits

Style of speech

Character flaws

Special skill

Definable personality

Identifying criteria:

Catchphrases

Mannerisms

Props

Virtues

Backstory (doesn’t have to actually be in your story)

Arc of change

Characterization pitfalls:

Make sure each character has a unique personality

Make your hero strong-willed

Remove clichéd character traits

Don’t forget secondary characters

Fill out character profile for each character

Plot:

Verify Plot Basics

Make sure you have a hero the reader will care about

Give your hero a noble goal

Make the stakes high

Put a difficult obstacle (threshold guardian) in your hero’s way

Make sure your hero performs the action most responsible for resolving the central conflict.

Make sure your hero goes through life-altering change

Make sure you haven’t lost the thread of cause and effect anywhere in the manuscript

To Build Suspense:

Make at least one character especially violent or adversarial

Spring surprises

Mislead your reader

Do your worst (the situation can always degenerate)

Take away that which is most important to your hero

Haunt your hero with memories of past failure

Turn the environment loose upon your characters

Employ phobias

Never make anything easy

Show that the danger is real

Impose a deadline

Prevent your hero from running away

Include a final twist near the end

Use these techniques in combination

First Draft (do the following for each scene):

Select a viewpoint character

Make a setting card

Write the scene

Make a scene card