Sanctum Threat is FINISHED (book 2)!

I finished up Sanctum Threat a couple days ago (2nd book in the series)!  I'm so jazzed.

Now comes the editing phase.  I've got this checklist I've been using to help me keep on track with quality and specifics of each story.  I'll paste it in below.  I recently came across a book in a used book store that contained a similar list, but 50 items strong (it's entitled Writing Young Adult Novels, by Irwin and Eyerly, 1988). 

Basic Writing Check Questions:

D. S. Fox, 2010.

1. Enough empathy for the primary and secondary characters?  Does the reader find themselves caring for them, including their hardship?

2. Enough detail in scene descriptions?  Does the reader feel a clear sense of place?  Think of foods, tastes, scents, drinks (compared to others they’ve tasted), sights that interest them (parks, buildings, animals, objects, statues, art).

3. Does the reader feel a sufficient level of moral outrage against the bad guys?  Are they bad enough?  Do they get sufficient “screen time”?

4. Are the plot and action sufficiently real (as in realistic)?

5. Is there enough description of the characters, especially the main characters?  And have you avoided redundancy?

6. Are you including educational information about the scenes and places where the story takes place (even if a little)?

7. Is there a sufficient and consistent level of tension and suspense at the end of each chapter or scene?  Does it make the reader want to turn the page?

8. Does the main character change and grow throughout the story?  And if so, is it clearly communicated and demonstrated in the story?

9. Is the plot both simple enough to follow (clarity issue) AND sophisticated to keep the (YA) audience engaged?

10. Is there a clear Christian presence and tone to the story?

11. Is the theme clearly communicated?  Can it be tracked without much difficulty?

12. Is there enough interaction from, and story presence among the secondary characters?

13. What references to other literature are you making?  Are you encouraging your readers to read more and other stories?

14. Are you tracking both the foreground and background stories/plots for the reader?

15. Are you including teachings and lessons that Jake has received from others?  Are there flashbacks to these people?

16. Have you given the work significant prayer, both in the writing and God’s use of it for impact in reader’s lives?