1 – SCENE CHECK – Make sure every chapter or new scene is adequately described. This includes rich description for the first introduction (300-500 words for novels) and a reminder description for subsequent visits.
2 – CHARACTER CHECK – When each character was introduced for the first time from another POV, were they described in a way that allows readers to visualize them easily? Each new character should have a minimum of a 200 word introduction when they are introduced to a new person.
3 – MISSING PIECES – While writing I sometimes leave a space to fill-in a scene and highlight it. Zoom out and make sure you don’t have any places where you wrote [Add Scene Here] or CharacterName5.
4 – SERIES BIBLE – If you haven’t done so yet, list all new nouns (place names, people, tech, weapons, medicines, magic, ect) and give them each a brief description. If names of two characters are very similar consider renaming someone.
6 – CHAPTER CHECK – Skim each chapter. Does it have:
– Conflict
– Puts the character in more danger
– Adds to the major plot
– Adds to which subplot?
– Colors
– Smells
– Textures
– Sensations
What is the ending of each scene?
7 – UNPACK AND REWRITE – Look for the following words and, where possible, rewrite and use a stronger word.
Words to unpack:
Thinks, Knows, Understands, Realizes, Believes, Wants, Remembers, Imagines, Desires, Loves, Hates,
Weak words to consider changing (acceptable occasionally and in dialog): about, actually, almost, like, appears, approximately, basically, close to, even, eventually, exactly, finally, just, just then, kind of, nearly, practically, really, seems, simply, somehow, somewhat, sort of, suddenly, that, truly, utterly, were.
8 – MIRROR CHECK – Does your opening set up the ending? Does your ending have a satisfying emotional answer to the opening of the book? Are you satisfied with the ending?