Revision And Self-Editing

Remember the rule act first, explain later.

Give us a character in motion. Something happening to a person from line one.

Make that a disturbing thing, or have it presage something disturbing. Remember, a disturbance is any sort of change or challenge. It doesn’t hav

desires

yearnings

duties

psychological wounds

passions Add a “Pet the Dog” Beat

KEY QUESTIONS ABOUT LEAD CHARACTERS

Is my Lead worth following for a whole novel? Why?

How can I make my Lead “jump off the page” more?

Do my characters sufficiently contrast? Are they interesting enough on their own?

Will readers bond to my Lead because he …

… cares for someone other than himself?

… is funny, irreverent, or a rebel with a cause?

… is competent at something?

… is an underdog facing long odds without giving up?

… has a dream or desire readers can relate to?

… has undeserved misfortune, but doesn’t whine about it?

… is in jeopardy or danger?

Make the stakes more important?

Make the odds greater?

Make the characters care more?

Make the incidents more challenging?

Bring in a surprise character?

Have the setting or weather provide an obstacle? Prompt

The last paragraph or line of your scene has one purpose: to get the reader to read on. It prompts him forward in some fashion.

While there are going to be innumerable possibilities for you at the end of each scene, here’s a list of some:

a mysterious line of dialogue

an image that’s full of foreboding (like the fog rolling in)

a secret suddenly revealed

a major decision or vow

announcement of a shattering event

reversal or surprise—new information that suddenly turns the story around

a question left hanging in the air

Greg Iles uses foreboding—literally!—for thi

Know your character’s inner lion. What is it that will make her roar and fight? Bring that aspect to the surface early in your story and you won’t be hampered by the wimp factor

Remind yourself that all this work is making your book better. Imagine the look on an editor’s or agent’s face. They are hoping to find that next great manuscript. Let it be yours. Anticipate that it will be.