In this episode, Terrance and I discuss five questions and four common pitfalls to finishing up your novel.

We talk about ending with a bang, beta readers, and so much more. Terrance also mentions her Manuscript Checklist, a quick reference you can use to make sure your manuscript is ready to move to the next stage.

For your convenience, I’ve created a PDF Version of the Manuscript Checklist that you can print out.

MANUSCRIPT CHECKLIST

* Did you read your manuscript as if you were seeing it for the first time?

* Is your ‘opener’ strong?

* Is your ‘closer’ strong?

* Is your plot obvious?

* Does ever word you’ve written move your story forward? If not, be brutal and CUT CUT CUT!

* Did you do your research? Did you get your facts straight?

* Are your characters strong (properly developed)?

* Is your plot strong? What about sub-plots?

* Has your plot/storyline been properly executed? Did you do a good job telling it?

* Do your characters ring true? Sound authentic?

* Do you have any transitions you need to fix?

* Do you need to spice things up? Do you have scenes that drag? Dialog that drones?

* Has your MS been properly edited?

If submitting to a traditional publisher, has it been properly formatted. There are some universal rules, but every publisher has their submission guidelines. You need to pay close attention and follow these guidelines to the letter or else your MS will be rejected immediately.

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