Structure
Whose story is it?
The hero is the person whose actions and decisions move the story forward. Once you're certain who your hero is, make sure the story revolves around that character.
What does your hero want? Why? What's stopping him from getting it? How much is he prepared to pay to get it?
Your hero (and every character) should have at least two goals, a public one (maybe winning the Superbowl) and a private one (acceptance by his father). He can't achieve the public one until he has managed the private one.
How does your character evolve during the story?
Viewpoint
The main character does not have to be the viewpoint character. In Doctor Who, the viewpoint character is never the Doctor. But stick to one or two viewpoints. Do not hop from head to head. And never ever start scenes with "Hot guy's pov".
Number of characters
Each novel has a sweet spot, the ideal number of characters, but it's usually a lot fewer than you think. Typically a novel needs 5-7 characters. Hero, villain, victim, lover, and your own choice from parent, mentor, knight errant, child, servant, witch, trickster.
You do not need an endless role call of friends and relatives. Cut or combine them.
Do not introduce or describe any character unless they are important to the plot.
Starting point
Does the novel start with the inciting incident? If not, cut everything before the inciting incident.
Don't bother setting the scene or introducing characters. It's insulting to your readers and boring.
Start with your main character on the first page.
No backstory before chapter three. This includes prologues and flashbacks.
Middle muddle
Every single scene, every single line in your book, should advance the story in some way. Do not add in scenes because you like the location or want to crack a joke. By all means slow the action with a humorous scene, but make sure something happens, even in that scene.
Every scene must advance the plot or develop character. If it doesn't, cut it out.
The easiest way to get "Middle Muddle" is to forget whose story it is. Keep the focus on the hero, and on throwing as much horrible stuff at him as you can. Don't get bogged down with endless secondary characters.
Don't be afraid to torture your hero.
Ending
It should go without saying that the story has to have an ending, but far too many Wattpad authors leave the story hanging because they are planning a follow-up.
Your story must build up to an exciting resolution of the conflict and a satisfying ending. This is not up for debate. Your story must have a proper ending.
