How to Write a Great Novel

All best selling novels have several things in common and none of them are the perfect place to write or the best word processing software.
I don't usually write in lists, only because as a writer I'm more use to narrative paragraphing. However, this list works because you can use it as a quick reference guide instead of having to dig for the meat from a standard article.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• All you need is a willingness to be the best writer you can be.

1. Is there a hook in the first 10-12 pages? A hook is some major emotion, action, or conversation that pulls the reader into the story. The more of these in the first 10-12 pages, the better.

2. Each scene must open with a hook as well.

3. Are all five senses evoked in the reader? Can the reader hear the accents of your characters through the word choices you have made? Have you described the food they are eating, its taste or the things they are seeing in enough detail to set the reader "inside" the story?

4. The words used must be very descriptive, strong action verbs and few adjectives.

5. Check you grammar, spelling and style. Make sure it's as precise and accurate as possible.

6. Pacing must be compelling and logical. Know what action is? Something must be happening continuously. If nothing dramatic happens in a complete scene, cut it out. Nothing happened!

7. Avoid all coincidences, contrivance events and forced plot points. Nothing miraculous should ever happen unless you are writing about a miracle and clearly demonstrate, explain, show the reader that it is a miracle.

8. Is the emotional state of each character clear to the reader? Do I understand her fears and why she would be afraid, scared, happy, mad or sad?

9. Never use cliques. Ever. Not in dialogue or in narrative. It is a lazy way of writing and turns modern readers off.

10. Just as with unnecessary scenes, never use unnecessary verbiage? Every word, sentence, paragraph, page, scene and chapter must have a reason for being there. If not, it doesn't have a reason for being there

11. Be sure to give your reader context clues to any uncommon phrases, words or equipment used in your story. This includes what you're using while writing the narrative and what your characters are using in the story.

12. Remember, character's actions and reactions are your story. Is there a logical reaction to each action? Do the actions and reactions carry the story to its ultimate end?

13. Always show never tell if at all possible.

14. If your story is about an event, make sure that event happens very quickly unless the story is more about the journey. If it's about the journey, then the action and reaction and the conversations and plotting must be in the journey. No action should be centered on an event that never happens in your story.

15. Dialogue should be plentiful and must move the story along to the climax.

16. Is the climax really a climax or anti-climatic?

17. Watch viewpoint very carefully. The reader must know whose viewpoint they are reading at all times. Viewpoint is the only way a reader has access to the story. You are not there, only your characters are there and they are the only ones "experiencing" the story. If your character is speaking or thinking, your reader has privy only to that which the character knows or experiences. Secrets held by someone else can not be revealed through this character

18. You, the author, must always be invisible. You are a ghost, a spirit, that "processes" the characters in your story.

19. Do your main characters grow, change?

20. Would I want to read this novel if it was written by someone else?

Tips & Warnings

• Most of all, be sure to have a great time and enjoy the process. In writing, the joy is in the journey. Good Luck.