Answer These 5 Questions Before Your Story Ends

I dare not say these words out loud, but... shhh... come closer, and I'll whisper them to you.

I think my story is finished.

Don't tell anyone. Not yet. First, I need to make sure I've satisfied the questions with which the story began.

I have worked on my young adult contemporary manuscript for more than a year. I'm not talking the writing part. The writing began in 2013. I'm talking editing and revising. A year. To be precise, fifteen months.

ON THE ROAD TO MARTY MCFLY has seen changes in characters, point of view, and plot. It is an entirely different story than the one I began three years ago. It is also an entirely better story.

First, let me tell you why it's better then I'll show you how I know it's finished.

One. I have addressed every concern an agent or editor brought to my attention during contests and querying.

Two. I have examined and corrected every detail my amazing critique partners raised a red flag to.

Three. I like it. It's a story. The characters are authentic. The MC is fallible.

Now let me show you how I know it's finished using the following five questions.

One. Is the main plot resolved?
I don't want to promise a premise that doesn't pan out. Readers need resolution to the protagonist's problem. Resolution does not necessarily mean a happy or satisfying ending. It just needs to be plausible.

Two. Did the protagonist solve it (YA needs this)?
In YA, the protagonist needs to be the one to solve her problem. Adolescents seek empowerment; adults screw with their destinies enough in the real world.

Three. Has the character grown or changed from the opening scene?
Consider Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey narrative. When the reader meets the MC, there must be something the reader asks or observes, something he expects to change.

Four. Have all the minor plots resolved?
Your A story and B story and all minor journeys that arose along the way must each come to a close.
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Five. Have all the "teasers" been dealt with or resolved?
In Act I, you've no doubt introduced red herrings or secondary characters with their own story. These all need closure. If Mom has been looking for a job throughout the story, and you keep referring to it, she either needs to land one or make a comment about going back to school. Something. Don't leave teasers teasing (unless you're writing a sequel...  but that's another story...).

If you think you're story is over, answer the five questions. What other questions do you think writers need to ask?
Share with us here.
Write on!

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