Editing YA and Middle-grade Novels - #WriteTip

CHECKLIST FOR EDITING MIDDLE-GRADE and YOUNG ADULT

1) SETTING:
Does my setting reveal a "new world" to my readers? 
Does it have the potential to teach?


2) IN-AND-OUT SCENE BUILDING:
Do my scenes start late and end early? 
Does my plot keep moving? 
Can I trim excess fat from lead-ins and wrap-ups?

3) DRAMATIC QUESTION:
Is the fundamental question driving the action a simple one? 
Can my plot be summed up in a single sentence?

4) TENSION:
Do I employ the three C's? 
Do my characters exist in the shadow of a ticking clock?
Are they constrained by some sort of crucible? 
Do I make contracts with my reader... and then follow through?

5) RESEARCH:
Do I know enough about my topic to write a manuscript filled with specifics?
What (specifically) will my reader learn?

6) WEAVING INFORMATION:
Is my background information "woven" into my story and not dumped? 
Or does the backstory occur in long blocks of description?

7) REVISION:
Have I reworked my manuscript many times? 
Have other writers read it and offered criticism? 
Have I tightened dull scenes? 
Have I seasoned the stew?