Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Copy of your story on paper
- Copy of your story on computer
- Way to make notes regarding changes to your story
Step1
One of the best tools for seeing a story with a new eye is time. Try to let a new story sit for a week or two before you rework it.
Step2
Using your electronic copy, read your first three paragraphs. Do you give your reader a reason to keep on reading, such as finding out the answer to a question or a character whose voice is so interesting that they can't help but listen? Do you show where the characters are, or are they heads bobbing around in space? Does the reader have a sense of what the rest of the story will involve? Does the story start where it should or could it begin later? Do you give the reader all the information they need?
Step3
Read through the story. Ask important questions when reviewing the text. Is there an identifiable main character? Do they face and resolve a problem? Is there conflict and change in the story?
Step4
Consider other factors. Does your final paragraph resolve things for the reader and make them feel that you've wound things up in a satisfactory way? Are there any loose ends that you forgot to resolve?
Step5
Think about the title. Does your title provide some insight into the story? Is it interesting and engaging enough to make an editor want to read the story?
Step6
Take your paper copy and go someplace quiet where you can read the story aloud, preferably to an audience, even if it's just a pet. Read the story aloud, marking typos, errors and rough spots. Repeat this step until you feel your prose is smooth.
Step7
Make sure your story fits the market's guidelines. Check the submission guidelines of the magazine you're submitting to, and make sure it's formatted correctly. Good luck.
Novice 
