Continuing my list of questions to ask about a manuscript to be critiqued, here are the craft and worldbuilding questions.
CRAFT QUESTIONS
Point of view: Is the proper point of view maintained in each scene? Would a scene work better from another character's viewpoint? Is there only one viewpoint character in each scene?
Interior monologues/introspection: Does this interior monologue slow the scene too much? Could this information or emotion be expressed in dialogue or action? Is the writer telling too much?
Sentence structure: Do the sentences vary in length? Does the language fit the actions? Are there long sentences for leisurely, more introspective moments, and short, terse sentences and words for action scenes?
Language: Does the author intrude, or is she invisible so the story can tell itself? Does cause and effect happen correctly? Is she showing rather than telling?
WORLDBUILDING
Is the worldbuilding well thought out?
Is it logical?
Does the writer break her own rules?
If a myth or fantasy element is changed from common knowledge, is it a logical or understandable change? Is it explained? (a vampire who can survive full sunlight, for example)
SUMMATION: These are just some of the questions you can ask as you critique. As you gain experience and learn the other writer's strengths and weaknesses, you'll be able to refine your questions.
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