Questions to Ask While Editing Your Manuscript

Questions to Ask While Editing Your Manuscript

Questions to Ask About Character Development

● Does every character have a strength?

● Does every character have a weakness?

● Have you properly arched all characters?

● Does the antagonist have motivation?

● Does the protagonist have motivation?

● Are there any unnecessary characters?

● Can you combine any two characters into one?

Questions to Ask About Scenes

● Does every scene move the story forward?

● How do the characters interact with the scene?

● Does the scene fit the genre?

● Does the scene fit the time period?

● Have you added too many details and weighed down the story?

Questions to Ask About Word Choices and Phrasing

● Have you chosen the right words to describe each scene?

● Have you eliminated weak words and phrasing?

● Have you cut out adverbs?

● Have you embraced active voice?

Questions to Ask About Plot, Pacing and Tension

● Is the plot engaging?

● Is the plot logical?

● Are all issues resolved?

● Does the plot make sense?

● Is there a hook?

● Is the plot focused?

● Are there surprises in the plot?

● Is the ending inevitable or in some way boring?

● Is there a climax?

● Is there a struggle? Is there tension?

● Have you addressed the conflict within each character?

● Have you identified how the characters struggle with each other?

Questions to Ask About Point of View

● Is the point of view clear throughout the story?

● Does the point of view shift around within a scene? A chapter?

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