A successful chapter

III · Jun 5, 2007

After you've finished writing a chapter and you're reviewing it, what criteria do you use to judge if you've written "successfully"? Some examples may be:

I think my readers will be entertained by what I've just written
The chapter helped support my point
The chapter moved my story along
I liked the way the characters developed during the chapter
I think my readers will be edified by what I've just written
The chapter was brilliantly written and is an example of my best work

Of course it would be nice to be able to say all of those things, but I'm wondering if you have a specific goal that you apply - a goal that, if you've reached it, you're satisfied and you can move on, or if you've missed it, you re-write the whole thing.

Note: This thread may be more appropriate for a general writing forum, but I think Christian authors might have a more specific goal in their writing endeavors, which is why I'm posting it here.

Calla Lily · Jun 5, 2007

Honestly? I look to see if it:

1. furthered the plot/developed character
2. scared the dickens out of me
3. preached--at which point I redline everywhere and rewrite

Plot Device · Jun 5, 2007

Um ......... I write scripts. With scenes. And Acts.

BUT ............ I guess if I were writing a novel I'd want to make sure the ending of the chapter was a page-turner. Make them WANT to keep reading past that point.

ALLWritety · Jun 7, 2007

I think it would depend on the work you are doing?

A Fiction work would have different criteria than a non fiction work.

For fiction it might be that:
1) you have gotten your point across
2) Developed the story & the characters
3) left them wanting more.

For NF maybe:
1) You point has been well covered and that it is understood by the reader.
2) You closed that chapter so there are no loose ends unless you want that.
3) The point(s) are easy to apply to your life. (One of my pet peevs is that you get the wonderful sounding message but you don't know how to apply in your life!)
4) You want to move on to the next chapter for more to digest.

I am sure there is more.
Anyway
God Bless
Kev

III · Jun 7, 2007

Thanks for the feedback, cyberpals. The impetus for this post was, I finally carved out time two weekends ago to sit down and do an entire 5k word chapter, every single word of which totally stunk. There was nothing salvagable about it at all. I'm in the process of re-writing it now, much slower and it'll probably end up closer to 10k. That was the most I ever wrote in one "sitting" that ended up being worthless.

BruceJ · Jun 7, 2007

III said:
Thanks for the feedback, cyberpals. The impetus for this post was, I finally carved out time two weekends ago to sit down and do an entire 5k word chapter, every single word of which totally stunk. There was nothing salvagable about it at all. I'm in the process of re-writing it now, much slower and it'll probably end up closer to 10k. That was the most I ever wrote in one "sitting" that ended up being worthless.

I think you hit it, III. If you read back through a passage and it moves you, good chance it will someone else 'cuz you knew what to expect and they won't. Maybe an amateur approach, but it sure feels good! And, of course, the reverse is often true, as you've described above.

Dancre · Jun 7, 2007

Well, I read my stuff and if something seems jarring to me or telly and shouldn't be, that's a trigger for me.

kim

A successful chapter

III

rockin the suburbs

Calla Lily

On hiatus

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

ALLWritety

One Step closer, I hope!

III

rockin the suburbs

BruceJ

Me and my Muse

Dancre

Just have fun.