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Kristen Stieffel • Edit Like a Pro: Elements of Fiction

Professional editors use checklists to ensure they are addressing every element of a novel. This checklist is based on the one I use when editing. It is divided into two sections:

PRIMARY ELEMENTS SECONDARY ELEMENTS Character Dialog Viewpoint Description Plot Voice Structure Mechanics Pacing

The primary elements have to be addressed first because if they change, they will affect the other elements. But the reverse is rarely true.

Types of editing: Developmental Substantive Line editing Copyediting Proofreading

First, finish your draft. Then give it a fast read through in as short a time as possible. Get a feel for your story as a whole.

Character + Plot = Story

PRIMARY ELEMENTS Character  The main character is likeable, or if not, is at least someone the reader can empathize with.  Principal characters are well-rounded and realistic.  The main character’s story goal is clear.  Secondary characters are distinctive and memorable.  The number of characters is appropriate to the genre.  Characters have distinctive names that are suitable to the genre and setting.  Personal histories are brought into the story organically.  Continuity is maintained in characters’ appearance, habits, and vocabulary.  The main characters have changed by the end of the story.

Viewpoint  The chosen point of view characters are appropriate.  The psychic distance is appropriate for the story and genre. Kristen Stieffel/Edit Like a Pro Page 2

 The chosen grammatical person is suitable to the story and the POV characters.  If multiple POVs are used, the transitions are clear.  If using Deep POV, the narrative and interior monologue reflects the personality of the POV character(s).

Plot  The stakes for the principal characters are stated early and clearly.  Each scene includes tension and moves the plot forward.  The plot contains elements of surprise.  Events are plausible.  The character keeps getting into deeper and deeper trouble.  Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.  Subplots arise organically and make sense as they unfold, not only in light of the ending.  Tangents add to, rather than detract from, the main plot.  Questions that arise are left tantalizingly open as long as feasible, but  Loose threads are tied up before or during the climax.  The ending is satisfying, with all major story questions resolved.  Premise or theme is expressed subtly but consistently.

Structure  Prologue, if used, is necessary and engaging.  The story begins in the right place.  A strong opening hook pulls the reader into the story.  Chapters are of approximately similar lengths.  Transitions clearly show how much time has elapsed and show how events relate to each other.  Key events or turning points form a three- or five-act structure.  Flashbacks, if used, are kept to a minimum, are necessary to the plot, and are engaging.  Backstory, where necessary to move the plot forward, is woven into the story briefly using engaging dialogue, or interior monologue.  Epilogue, if used, is necessary and engaging.

Pacing  Pace is appropriate to the action and genre.  Tension is appropriate to genre and keeps reader turning pages.  Events flow logically in cause-and-effect relationships.  Excessive step-by-step description of actions is avoided.  Stage directions have been broken up with dialog and internal monologue.  The denouement moves at a pace appropriate to the genre.

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Setting  The time and place are established early and portrayed clearly.  The culture and mood are evoked through description and character reactions, i.e., not by “telling.”  If the story is set in the past, historical details are accurate.  If the story is set in the future, scientific details are plausible.

SECONDARY ELEMENTS Dialogue  Each character has a distinct voice suitable to their temperament.  Conversations are natural and realistic.  The dialogue moves the story along.  Dialog tags convey meaningful information, such as action beats.  Emotional states are shown through speech and action rather than dialogue tags.  Punctuation such as em dashes and ellipses are used correctly.  Interior monologue is presented consistently.

Description  Each scene includes a baseline descriptor to aid the reader.  Descriptions are woven in organically and pull the reader into the story.  Settings and objects are described in proportion to their importance.  Comparisons and similes are used to engage readers.  Readers get enough detail to envision each scene taking place.  Details are relevant and add to the reader experience.  The amount of description is appropriate to the genre.  All senses are engaged as appropriate to each scene.

Voice  If using Deep POV, the narrative voice reflects the education, culture, and personality of the character.  If using omniscient POV, the narrator has a distinctive voice.  The narrative voice draws the reader into the story.  The narrative voice is appropriate for the genre and the target audience.  The voice avoids being too distant, intimate, offensive, or stilted.  The voice is consistent.  The author is showing and not telling.  The author avoids flowery or “purple” prose, as well as clichés, recycled phrases, and unnecessarily repeated words.  Paragraph and sentence lengths are varied in accordance with pace.  The passive voice is used when appropriate.

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How to find your voice  Embrace your uniqueness.  Write a lot.  Read widely.  Be willing to write a crappy first draft.  Write about the things that get you fired up.  Don’t try to write writerly. Write as you speak, within reason.

When it is appropriate to use the passive voice From Garner’s Modern American Usage by Bryan Garner  When the actor is unimportant  When the actor is unknown  When you want to hide the actor’s identity  When you need to put the punch word at the end of the sentence  When the focus of the passage is on the thing being acted upon  When the passive simply sounds better

Mechanics  Punctuation is properly applied.  Usage is in accordance with convention.  Grammatical errors have been eliminated.  Spelling is correct.  Style and format of the manuscript are in accordance with industry standards.

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