Questions an author should know before writing a book
What is the central idea behind this story?
Why does this story need to exist?
What emotional experience do I want the reader to have?
What genre am I writing in?
What tone should the story carry?
What expectations do readers of this genre have?
What core themes am I exploring?
What questions about humanity, life, or society is this story poking at?
Who is the protagonist, and what do they want?
What is their deepest fear or flaw?
What do they think they want vs what they actually need?
Who or what stands in their way?
Who is the antagonist, and what do they want?
What is the source of conflict?
Is the antagonist a person, a system, or the protagonist themselves?
Where and when does the story take place?
How does the setting shape the characters or plot?
What specific details make the world feel alive?
What is the starting situation?
What inciting incident kicks everything off?
What major turning points define the story?
How does the story resolve?
What happens if the protagonist fails?
What does success cost them?
How do the stakes escalate?
Who is telling the story?
Why are they the best person to tell it?
What narrative style fits the story?
What am I promising readers by starting this story?
How do I plan to deliver on that promise?
Why am I the person writing this?
What am I hoping to learn, explore, or cathartically exorcise?
12. Practical sanity checks
Do I actually have the time and energy to finish this?
What research will I need?
What might derail me, and how can I prevent that?
i needed this so you need this too, with love and respect, helia
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