Whether you're cranking out a first draft this month, or revising away at a finished one, we all have to remember the key elements that make up a story.Keep them in mind as you write and revise:
Does the plot make sense? Is there strong narrative? Identifiable conflict? Pressing story question? Is the reader engaged from the first scene? Pacing good?
Does each character have a purpose? Are they defined by their dialogue and actions? Are their feelings shown rather than described? Are their traits explained on a need to know basis throught the story? Is your MC likeable or at least sympathetic? Does each character have unique mannerisms? Does your MC have a goal and arc (meaning they end up different than when they started?)
Is it believable? Does it flow? Does each character have his/her own voice? Does it move the story forward to reveal chapter question? Is there a nice balance between dialogue and summary?
Does it contain elements of location in time/space; action; dialogue? Does each scene have tension? How about the right number of beats for pacing?
Are you RUI? (Resisting Urge to Explain)? Are you showing instead of telling? Do you have enough interior monologue? Are you looking for verbs to use instead of adverbs and modifiers?
Whether you're a plotter or panster, you have to have some kind of basic knowledge and idea before you create a story. I'm a little of both. I plot out a chapter outline of how I want each one to go and what scenes to expect will carry the plot.
Then, while I'm writing the first draft (which I'm doing now and using NaNo as an excuse to stay motivated) I create the scenes and just go with it. So in a sense, I'm flying by the seat of my pants while I write, and often digress because I can't get my characters to do what I need. LOL! Isn't it funny how they have a mind of their own? Sometimes that's a good thing.
I'm already thinking of places in my WIP where I can cut, and I think I even have too many characters. I'm going to have to cut a few who I wanted to use to add some flavor, but they just don't further the story at all. I'm a third of the way in ... feels great! Now, to get writing ...
How about you? How's that WIP coming along? Are you like me and already finding places or peeps to cut?