Sometimes, while writing we need to make a shift in our perspectives and instead of usual thinking, we need to think like a reader.
Try to imagine reading your book as somebody elses, and then question what you expect from any book which you happen to read.
- What kind of language do you expect?
- Are you in for the excitement?
- Do you like being surprised?
- What kind of character wakes empathy with you?
- Do you prefer action or talking heads?
- How would you like to discover the story?
- What kind of pace do you prefer?
- How many POVs do you expect from the book?
Now when you analyzed your book what do you think of it? Does your book fit your taste? Do you know anyone who would gladly read your book?
If your answer on both of these questions is – No, you need to change it. If you have at least one – Yes, move on.
Also, keep in mind that the reader will ask some questions, like:
- Why is this chapter important?
- Why are we here?
- What impact does this character/event/place have on the story?
- What does this have to do with anything?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, your readers won’t know either.
Would you like to read a book with unanswered questions and unrelated events?
Of course, not.
The good thing is that you’re the first reader of your book and you can make it work.
Go, make it work!