Read on Twitter
Spent the night editing the picture book I wrote today. Used the same principles I apply when I'm editing at work:
1. Does every word count? I literally stopped and examined every single word, over and over. Is each one needed? Are you sure? Can you convey the idea in fewer words? Cut, cut, cut. Pause. Reread. Cut again. Then again.
2. Does my story start with a line and a scene that grabs my reader hard and makes them want to turn the page?
3. Is there something new visually on each page?
4. Can I cut a line and let the illustrator convey that detail instead? (I did this a LOT and the story got funnier, more wry the less I said.)
5. Is the pacing working? Is any one page too long or draggy? (Answer: Yes. I split up a scene and re-paginated and it got tighter.)
6. Am I milking each page turn? Is every opportunity for dramatic or humorous effect being used?
7. Is there a theme or thread or line or joke that I can come around to and pick up again later in the story for a fun refrain? (I didn't see this at first and then found one that I included on my last page.)
8. If there's a "message", is it super-duper subtle and not trying too hard to teach a lesson?
9. Are my characters' voices strong and distinct and do they remain consistent?
10. Is my last line a satisfying ending, but also one that might make a kid want to start from the beginning again?