On Some Questions to Ask When Rewriting
Anything
This is my most used handout.
Or at least, it’s the one I hand out the most.
I think it’s been useful to the writers I’ve shared it with.
Some Questions to Ask When Rewriting
1. Is this comma in the right place?
2. Do I know the exact meaning of every word in this sentence?
3. Does this word fit with:
a. the mood at this point?
b. the voice of my narrator (overt or implied)?
c. the tone of the whole?
4. Is this sentence the very best shape it can possibly be?
5. How does this sentence flow when I read it aloud? Do I
stumble over any word or phrase?
6. Is this sentence in this form because I want to show off:
a. my vast vocabulary?
b. my obscure factual knowledge?
c. well, because I just bloody well want to show off?
7. Can I see exactly what I am describing? Can the reader?
8. Can the opening/ending of this piece be cut? (i.e., Is this
throat-clearing or over-emphasizing the moral?)
9. Is this section scaffolding? (i.e., Is it necessary for me
but not for the reader?)
10. Am I telling the reader something:
a. they already know?
b. they don’t need to know yet?
c. they don’t need to know ever?
11. Would this section be more effective/affecting were it
earlier or later in the story?
12. Can I picture the overall work as:
a. a building?
b. a piece of music?
c. a person?
What are its weaknesses?
13. Could I describe the overall shape of the work with a
gesture of my hand?
14. If so-and-so read this, what would they say?
15. Would I be happy for this work to be published tomorrow?
I’ll do some unpicking of this tomorrow, or the next day.
Social share image credit: Marcel Proust c/o The Imaginary Museum
That's a REALLY helpful list.