Creative Writing Workshop
Author
Title
Does the opening line grab your attention? If not, what’s
missing? If so, what works?
Does the story begin where you think it should? If not,
make suggestions.
Is there action? Does the writer show action, objects,
rhythm and character to make the reader experience the
emotion rather than telling how the character felt?
Is the character adequately developed? In order to be a
“round” character, he or she must not be a stereotype
but rather should introduce him/herself to you in THIS
story – first time you have encountered such a person,
and you leave the story knowing the person well enough
to enter the feelings evoked in the story.
Could you cut any words or add words? Is everything in
the story essential?
Is there sensual detail that allows you to enter the work
with your senses engaged?
Does the writer repeat the object (remember the threetime rule?) and include at least three senses?
Is the dialog convincing? Mark dialog that is not
convincing. If there is no dialod, mark some places
where dialog would work for you.
Is the point of view consistent? Does the writer remain
faithful to the vantage point he or she took when
beginning the story: omniscient or with a point of view
character, whether in first or in third?
Are the characters believeable? Has the writer limited
the number of characters to one main and one or two
minor ones? Do you know who the main character is?
Do the characters behave consistently?
Do you know where, when, how the story takes place?
Do you know what takes place? What is the point of the
story (implied)?
What are the strong points of the work?
If the story has left you with unanswered questions,
what are the questions?
Is the style of language consistent? Appropriate?
Do the scenes come to life?
If something went wrong, can you put your finger on it?
What is the conflict?
What does the character want?
Does the story limit the time involved to one moment
(or one action) in time?