AWJ #13: I’m Finished Writing My Novel. Or Am I?

Congratulations! You finished your first or second draft. But now you need to make sure you really are finished.

In this episode, my co-host, Sara Whitford, and I discuss the five questions you need to ask yourself and four common pitfalls you need to avoid.

Also, I have included a manuscript checklist (see below).

You can also subscribe to this podcast at iTunes and play it anywhere at anytime: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/writers-journey-from-blank/id911131840

So listen and learn all about how to get from blank page to published…

MANUSCRIPT CHECKLIST
Did you read your manuscript as if you were seeing it for the first time?
Is your ‘opener’ strong?
Is your ‘closer’ strong?
Is your plot obvious?
Does ever word you’ve written move your story forward? If not, be brutal and CUT CUT CUT!
Did you do your research? Did you get your facts straight?
Are your characters strong (properly developed)?
Is your plot strong? What about sub-plots?
Has your plot/storyline been properly executed? Did you do a good job telling it?
Do your characters ring true? Sound authentic?
Do you have any transitions you need to fix?
Do you need to spice things up? Do you have scenes that drag? Dialog that drones?
Has your MS been properly edited?
If submitting to a traditional publisher, has it been properly formatted. There are some universal rules, but every publisher has their submission guidelines. You need to pay close attention and follow these guidelines to the letter or else your MS will be rejected immediately.

Manuscript Checklist (You can also download this checklist as a PDF for your convenience).