- Could it use a new beginning?
- Does the ending point toward a deeper story?
- Is there a dominant visual image?
- Is the right person telling the story?
- Is there enough interior monologue...or too much?
- Are there too many minor characters...or too few?
- Are there enough scenes, too many, or the wrong ones?
- Why are you telling me this?
- Do you appeal to a reader's senses?
- Do you appeal to a sense of place?
- Do your characters have sufficient motivation?
- Could you make the time frame more interesting?
- Could you add texture to your story with echoes, allusions, and metaphors?
- What if your narrator was unreliable?
- Do you give readers enough trivia information and "deep thoughts"?
- Will lyrics, letters, or lists add interest?
- What about coincidence or irony?
- Does the story have enough contrast?
- How lively is your dialogue?
- Can you up the ante? (not quite sure what this one means)
- When all else fails, why not try a "side car" approach?
I have already applied a few of these to my story when I went through and revised what I had, but I also am excited to try a few more. These tips work during your writing process as well, not just during the revision process. Best of luck to you, and don't forget, keep writing!
Great idea! Way to use your resources!
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