Good Book Checklist

The Good Book Checklist for New and Experienced Authors

Ever feel like you want to write a great story but – you’re not sure you know what exactly is needed… to make a great story?

Yeah, welcome to the club! Almost every writer feels this way.

As writers we’re full of ideas but sometimes, the structure we need to follow isn’t understood well or we’re missing elements that help to wrap everything up in a pretty little bow.

Essentially, what it all comes down to is; we want to feel confident as a writer.

How do we feel confident if we don’t know exactly what our writing needs?

Along with using the right plot structure, I’d say having these key elements will help ensure your book is good and enjoyed by your readers.

The Good Book Checklist:

Strong Hook

Make it so that even if they didn’t want to like your book, they can’t let it go!

How to make a strong hook?

Start with something startling, interesting, unique or strange.
Use a strong voice.
Make the characters relatable.
Don’t use too much exposition (it gets boring).
End the first chapter with a cliffhanger.
Consider this: make your title the first hook.
Put your readers right in the middle of action.
Leave your reader with questions.

If you can hook your reader, you can hopefully get them invested so they simply can’t put the book down.

Compelling Characters

Create characters that pull on your readers heart strings in both a good or bad way. They should be fully developed and believable.

Have your characters flawed but sympathetic
Make them the hero, the underdog, the lost soul or average which can help the reader sympathize with them.
Make your characters interesting, unusual or exceptional.
Show us how your character feels so we can connect to them.
Give your character a strength that is clear to the reader and others in the story.
Make your character have an inner conflict that must be overcome.
Give your character a specific goal that is difficult to obtain.
Include a strong antagonist that pushes intensely against the protagonist.
Make your character suffer.
Give them a unique combination of traits.

Unique Story

Make it unique and interesting. Create a story your readers have never heard before. You should also raise the stakes continuously throughout the story. Include plot twists, surprises and create unforeseeable events appear at some point in the story.

Memorable Dialogue

What your characters say and how they say it can leave a long lasting impression.

Somethings to include:

Wit
Insults
Funny word choices
Deadpan delivery
Literal communication
Extreme voices
Don’t just use the word “said” as a tag. Change it up.

Make it believable. Avoid info dumping or talking for too long.

Creative Writing Style

Step into your own voice as a writer. This will help you stay true to who you are as a storyteller and also help you stand out.

Unfortunately, sometimes your voice doesn’t fully come out until a few pages or chapters in. So if this is you, simply go back and fix the first pages or chapters you’ve written to keep things cohesive.