checklist

What Motivates You?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

 

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There has to be some reason to write…to sit in front of the computer for hours at a time…usually by yourself…writing a book or article which you cannot be totally sure  anyone will ever buy or read…

Maybe it’s because you have an image in your head that you are trying to recreate in the real world…or a childhood dream that you simply must bring to life…

For all of us there is a reason.

For many of us there are multiple reasons.

Which of these motivate you to write?

Praise/accolades?

Money?

Seeing a product complete? (The feeling of being “done”?)

Sales?

Fear of failure?

Checking it off of your “to do” list?

Helping others?

Entertaining your reading audience?

Being called an “author”?

Winning writing contests?

An innate love for the craft/process?

I’m not judging.

But, something has to motivate you. And, it has the power to keep you motivated day after day, year after year.

I think of it as that dangling carrot…crisp…juicy…sweet…

That hunger that is never quite satisfied…

Isn’t that write?

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Use a Checklist

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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You may want to consider utilizing a checklist to guide your comments to others in your critique group. Below is one we developed. I am sharing the first five this time and will post the rest next week. 

 

 

1) HOOKS:  

* Does the opening line or paragraph immediately hook the reader?

* Did you want to keep reading?

2)  STYLE:

* Is the writer’s voice distinct and unique?

* Does the author utilize showing and telling skillfully?

* Indicate passages needing more “show”.

3)  PROFESSIONAL IMPACT:

* Does the author have a grasp of the elements of grammar, spelling, and punctuation?

* Is the writing fresh and original, avoiding cliches?

* Is the writer overusing/overdoing actions? Themes? Words? Character traits?

* Is the manuscript appropriate for the general market?

4)  SETTING:

* Was the place, time of day, season, time period set?

* Does the setting support the story?

* Do sensory details (sight, sound, touch, smell) enhance each scene?

5)  CHARACTERS:

* Is the main character identifiable? Unique?

* Do you get a sense of the character’s journey and what the story is about?

* Do secondary characters contribute to the story? Are they defined and likable?

* Do characters’ emotions seem believable and/or provide understandable motives?