1. Clarity: The writing does not confuse your audience.

(This sounds so obvious, but you’d be surprised at the number of writers who think they have to be clever or coy or literary which simply leaves the reader in the dark.)

2. Form: It has a beginning, a middle and an ending.

The beginning draws readers in and the ending is satisfying.

This holds true for fiction, memoir, personal essays, autobiographies, and stories for children.

Occasionally a genius writer ignores this, however most do not.

Form:* Short stories

* Poems

* Letters to self (future/past)

* Letters to others

* Scripts

* Diary entries

* Interior monologues

* Prologues/Epilogues

* Speeches

* Autobiography, etc.

3. Emotion: The text is emotionally charged and the reader cares

what happens to the protagonist.

We either cry or laugh or are scared or feel something.

4. Meaning and connection: Recognize that it is all about people or situations that the

reader can connect to.

Do we entre into a story with the author for :

entertainment,

a subject/topic ,

or emotion that we too are dealing with or want to learn about,

or are we looking for humour.

In some way the writing connects to the rest of the world.

5. Language: The author cares deeply about words and their power.

No overblown adjectives or adverbs (and only those absolutely necessary for information.)No flabby clichés.

Does the author love language ?

Is there evidence of how the words and sentences are honed and rewritten?