I'm deep into editing at the chapter level, which is its own unique challenge. In the previous round of edits, I was just trying to fix the big structural issues with the book. And in the next phase of edits, I'll be working on fixing the prose right down at the sentence level. But for now, it’s all about the building blocks of the story.
Chapter level editing is a mix of big picture and fine detail. At the chapter level, you're telling a short story that stands on its own merits, and you have to make it work within the context of the book as a whole.
Before a chapter is considered done (for now), it has to pass a quality checklist. Here’s the list I use:
Does it advance the story?
Does it advance a character arc?
Does it create or increase the tension?
Does it deliver on a clear objective?
Does it reveal some new information for the reader?
Does it reinforce the story's theme?
Does it end with momentum that pulls the reader forward?
You have about 3000 words in which to answer all these questions. That might sound like a lot of room, but go back and look at the list. Does 3000 words still seem like a big enough budget?
By the way, those questions are not a pick-and-choose list. You have to answer all of them, and you have to do it for each chapter. If you're unable to, then you have to figure out why, where the breakdown occurs, and fix it.
I have to do this 26 times.
So while this update is light, I think you can see why.
"I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter."