While a writer can never fully edit his or her own work objectively and should have an objective editor, there are many revision questions writers can ask themselves. These questions make writers contemplate aspects of their fiction they may have previously neglected.
What Currently Attracts You Most to Your Work?
Chances are your favorite part of the piece will be something different than what originally made you write the piece. Write down your favorite aspects of your work on different sticky notes and post them in places you typically write. Even when all else feels lost or far from perfect, remember what is irreplaceable in your piece.
Do You Believe in the Story You have Written?
If you do not believe in, truly believe in, the world you create, how do you expect readers who are far less attached to believe? If the world and characters you created do not feel real to you, figure out why. Ask yourself what would make your story more realistic to you, and alter as necessary to make the story more real to readers.
Is the Point of View Consistent and the Best Choice?
Be sure the point of view in your work does not hop from one point to another. Test different points of view to ensure the one you have chosen is the best choice. Do not be afraid to try an unusual perspective like second person (You shouted at Eric...), even if it's just for fun.
Does Every Block of Dialogue Serve a Purpose?
There is nothing more tedious for a reader than to read a page of dialogue that does not introduce anything new to the text. If a character has already experienced something previously in the text, do not recount it through dialogue to another character. Instead sum it up in a line of narration and show the character's reaction to the event through dialogue. In addition to introducing new material, dialogue should reveal character traits.
Do You Sympathize with or at Least Relate to Your Main Character?
You should be attached to your main character and care whether he or she achieves his or her goal in the story. Even the most despicable characters (murderers, thieves, adulterers) should be crafted so well with strong motives and histories that the reader empathizes with and understand why the character behaves the way he or she does.
How Much Information Do You Provide About Your Characters?
Is there enough information about characters' present and past situations to justify their actions and words? Similarly, is there too much information about the characters so that their actions and words become too translucent and tedious? Balancing information given and information withheld is one of the trickiest but most necessary steps in fiction writing.
Whether you feel like your work of fiction is complete trash or completely perfect, remember that in any piece there are both enlightening aspects and aspects that could use improvement. Use these questions on revision to evaluate your work and find areas you might need to improve. Don't forget to celebrate what you have achieved and also have at least one other person help edit it for you.
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