Novelist’s Boot Camp Editing Checklist by Todd A. Stone

Novelist’s Boot Camp Editing Checklist by Todd A. Stone

• Scene Triage Questions
  • Is the main character present (Present can mean the character is being discussed)?
  • Is the window character present?
  • Is the villain present?
  • Are the minions/other opposition present?
  • Four no answers, mark the scene as a cut.
  • Is the protagonist, opponent, window character, or minion taking action?
  • Is the protagonist, opponent, window character, or minion having an external conflict?
  • Two no answers, mark the scene as a cut.
  • Is one or more characters pursuing his/their story objectives?
  • Is one of more character pursuing his/their personal objectives?
  • Two no answers, mark the scene as a cut.
• Character Pass Questions
  • Does everyone get on stage quickly?
  • Is your protagonist in the scene?
  • Is each character pursuing her objectives?
  • Is each character consistent?
  • Is each character growing?
  • Where can you trim your cast?
  • Are you characters rehearsing or playing their parts?
  • Are the bit players stealing the show?
  • Is the point of view consistent?
• Objective Pass
  • Are the objectives clearly visible in the beginning?
  • Are the objectives clearly visible in each scene?
  • Are the characters taking action to achieve those objectives?
  • Are objectives in conflict with each other?
  • Can you track the progress as you go along?
  • In what ways can you raise the stakes?
  • Do the objectives get resolved in the end?
• Dialogue Pass
  • Are your characters using words as weapons?
  • Is the dialogue only there to show something?
  • How could this dialogue more strongly reveal the character?
  • How could the dialogue work harder?
  • Is the speaker's identity clear?
  • Does the dialogue contain beats to punctuate it?
  • Is there a better arrangement?
  • Does the dialogue fit?
  • Does it feel real?
• Description and Narration Pass
  • What description can be cut?
  • Does the description do its job?
  • Does the description convey a mood?
  • How can more variety be introduced?
  • Is it part of the scene?
  • Is there a better arrangement?
  • Seek out excess summarizations.
  • Use word-level cues to help you identify extra narration.
• Action Pass
  • Is the amount and type of action appropriate for the genre?
  • Is there action on every page?
  • Does the action have the right purpose?
  • How well is the action recounted?
  • Does the action grow?
• Logic Pass
  • Is the first bang big enough?
  • Is there cause and effect?
  • Does logic work for the characters?
  • Do events follow each other logically in time?
  • What are the effects of changes?
  • Can you work backwards?
• Miscellaneous Pass
  • Are genre consideratons addressed?
  • Are the technical details correct?
  • Visually examine the pages for signs of weakness in your writing.
    • Too much black.
    • Too much white.
    • Too much of the same.