Just sharing some smart things I’ve heard lately (thank to Colleen Lindsay who Tweeted the Donald Maass quotes from a panel.

The description should come not from the author, but the character.~Tina from Mike’s Writing Workshop

And from the Donald Maass panel:

The world of the story includes your character’s relationship to that world.

In so many manuscripts, the antagonist or villain is least compelling character in the story. Who is the character that most impedes your character’s forward motion in story? How does he feel about the protag? how does your antagonist feel about protag? What does he think is admirable about protag? What can he learn from protag? what does your antagonist deeply believe in? What drives forward? Why might his worldview be correct? how does your antag find support for what he believes in? is your antag evil for the sake of being evil? Is so, he is an ineffective villain. is your antagonist active enough in the story?