Where should you focus in your novel revision?

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Quiz Questions

1.
1. Do you notice lots of red squiggles on the computer document?
- A.
  They add color to the page!
- B.
  Just a few.
- C.
  Am I not supposed to?
- D.
  Hell no.
2.
2. Does your character change psychologically by the end of the story?
- A.
  Not even the same person.
- B.
  Debatable.
- C.
  In some ways.
- D.
  Was (s)he supposed to?
3.
3. Is it obvious where your story is happening in location?
- A.
  It's practically got a map.
- B.
  At times it is.
- C.
  Does it have to be a specific place?
- D.
  It happens somewhere?
4.
4. If you deleted any of the chapters, would the story change?
- A.
  It wouldn't even be a story anymore!
- B.
  It'd be awkward.
- C.
  Depends on the chapter.
- D.
  Like nothing ever happened.
5.
5. When you read the draft out loud, do you stumble often?
- A.
  Let's just say I'm nervous.
- B.
  I naturally suck at reading. We can't use that!
- C.
  I get tied-tongue at times.
- D.
  Smooth as Don Juan.
6.
6. If your dialogue had no tags (character "says"), can the reader easily identify which character is speaking?
- A.
  Like night and day.
- B.
  Depends on who's talking.
- C.
  I need at least a few tags.
- D.
  Should you be able to?
7.
7. Could the reader take or find pictures of each place (or similar) by reading your story?
- A.
  Just google it.
- B.
  Like, the 3rd "o" on Google.
- C.
  If nature could take a selfie.
- D.
  Google wishes it had images of this.
8.
8. Would your reader have many questions after finishing your story?
- A.
  Does this class have extra credit?
- B.
  If they've been paying attention, no.
- C.
  They're going to need a study guide.
- D.
  They'd ace the test.
9.
9. Do you have lots of sentences with more than two commas?
- A.
  My sentences sprint.
- B.
  Sprinkled here and there.
- C.
  I struggle with run-ons.
- D.
  A sentence shouldn't need commas.
10.
10. Could someone sketch out your character just by reading your story?
- A.
  A masterpiece.
- B.
  Selfie-status.
- C.
  Maybe a stick-figure.
- D.
  Use your imagination.
11.
11. Is the time period obvious through the surroundings and how characters interact?
- A.
  Yes, m'Lord.
- B.
  Sometimes. If thur pay attention.
- C.
  Not really, y'know.
- D.
  This can be anywhere.
12.
12. Can the reader make plausible predictions throughout the story?
- A.
  Sherlock Holmes!
- B.
  Detectives are on it.
- C.
  It might be a cold case.
- D.
  They'd be lying to themselves.
13.
13. Do you have lots of -ly words?
- A.
  Surely.
- B.
  Most likely.
- C.
  Only if I can't find the right description.
- D.
  I avoid them at all times.
14.
14. Is your character forced to make a decision or do something that will change his/her life?
- A.
  Talk about a crisis!
- B.
  Well, not exactly "forced" to...
- C.
  I guess you can call it that?
- D.
  Should (s)he?
15.
15. Can the reader make a clear list of the world's belief system by reading the story?
- A.
  It's like a glossary.
- B.
  It wouldn't be very long.
- C.
  They could try.
- D.
  Lists are dumb.
16.
16. Does your character clearly have something (s)he wants?
- A.
  It's like an obvious addiction.
- B.
  (S)he's got goals, I guess.
- C.
  (S)he just rolls with it.
- D.
  Thou shalt not covet.
17.
17. Is there something keeping your character from having what (s)he wants?
- A.
  Practically a brick wall.
- B.
  A few jump scares.
- C.
  Depends on how determined (s)he is.
- D.
  I thought they're supposed to get what they want?!
18.
18. Is there anything in the story that can practically be a novel on its own?
- A.
  Maybe I should do a series!
- B.
  Maybe.
- C.
  Debatable.
- D.
  Every piece is grounded.
19.
19. Could the reader find his/her way around the story-world?
- A.
  Available on Google Maps.
- B.
  There may be a few wrong turns.
- C.
  Only if (s)he can read a map.
- D.
  Getting lost is an adventure!
20.
20. Do you have lots of nouns with their describing adjectives after it?
- A.
  How do you even do that?
- B.
  Well, it sounds smarter!
- C.
  I try to avoid it.
- D.
  No, I double checked.
21.
21. Do you leave hints to help the reader figure out what is to come?
- A.
  Come, come, Hansel and Gretel.
- B.
  Crushed cookies in some places more than others.
- C.
  I want to surprise them.
- D.
  I'm not into breadcrumbs. Sorry.
22.
22. Are there named characters you could delete and it not change the story?
- A.
  I don't any of you!
- B.
  Only the person across the street.
- C.
  Well, they should be there, but they don't have to be.
- D.
  The story just wouldn't be the same.
23.
23. Can the reader tell when and where your character has moved?
- A.
  Like it's in slow motion.
- B.
  If (s)he's an attentive reader.
- C.
  The character seems magical at times.
- D.
  Should they be able to?
24.
24. Does the reader feel like (s)he is practically in the story?
- A.
  Like virtual reality!
- B.
  Front row seats!
- C.
  An arcade simulator at best.
- D.
  What does that even mean?
25.
25. Would your reader be able to assimilate into the story's culture?
- A.
  Feeling native born.
- B.
  Definitely second generation.
- C.
  It'll take a little work.
- D.
  Assimi-what?
26.
26. Could your character stop his/her journey and return to normal life?
- A.
  In a heartbeat.
- B.
  With some hesitation.
- C.
  It'd take a lot of work.
- D.
  Never again.
27.
27. Are there clear relationships between the characters?
- A.
  It's like a family tree.
- B.
  They're fairly established.
- C.
  You have some "twice-removed" in there.
- D.
  I like to blur the lines.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Revising for Characterization
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Characters are the backbone of your story; without them, the story can't and/or doesn't need to be told. It seems like your character development is lacking in some way. Maybe it's one of the above, the article below can help you with that.
2.
Revising for Setting & Context
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A story's world helps the reader connect and escape to another life. In every fandom, notice that the fans adopt a new home and correlating identity. It reads like maybe your story's world is a little empty. The article attached can help you with that.
3.
Revising for Plot & Conflict
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4.
Revising for Language
The most common focus of revision, and yet, the smallest part of a great story. Nevertheless, language and editing is a must when you go through your final drafts of a novel. Lucky for you, this is much easier to accomplish than changing story content. The links attached can help you with the process.
5.
Touché!
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It looks like you don't have any major gaps in your work. You did good, Kid; you did good. Instead, you can just have someone read it and identify any immediate needs for you. After they do, you can read it yourself and revise/edit accordingly.
6.
Call the Calvary!
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The struggle is obviously real. According to you, you have quite a bit of gaps in your work and need as much help as possible. I recommend you read up on my better storytelling articles then plan and organize your work for cross-reference. Then, get as many eyes on that story as possible for feedback. Also, I have free characterization handouts and a plot organization workbook that you can download if you sign up for my bi-weekly, Writer's Wisdom newsletter. You can sign up on in the right hand bar on any page of my website.

Where should you focus in your novel revision?

You've finished your first draft. You're told you should edit. Where do you even start? How do you know you need to revise? How do you revise? How should it look instead? Take this quiz and find out where you need to start.

Quiz Questions

Quiz Outcomes