Checklist for Editing

While listening to Janet Evanovich's book, How To Write I came across this very challenging checklist for editing.

1. Did you read your manuscript as though reading it for the very first time?
2. Does your story grab the reader's interest right away?
3. Is it clear what the main characters want and what motivates them?
4. Is it clear that someone or some thing doesn't want your characters to reach their goal?
5. Will the readers be able to identify with and care about the characters and what happens to them?
6. Is the villain strong enough to give your characters a true challenge?
7. Did you edit out all the parts of the novel that bog the story down and are unnecessary, especially in the middle?
8. Do you need to add a scene in order to keep the stakes high and the momentum rolling, especially in the middle?
9. Does the dialog sound realistic?
10. Does the rhythm of the dialog suit the character?
11. Is the ending satisfying to your reader?
12. Have you edited out words that serve no function? Don't use 20 words when 5 will do.
13. Does every discussion or scene move the plot forward?
14. Does every sentence move the discussion or scene forward?
15. Is every action in keeping with the characters' nature and personality?
16. Are all of your loose ends tied up by the end of the novel?
17. Is it clear that the reader knows who is speaking?

Qs 3 and 4 grabbed me the most. There are many differences between crime fiction and a graphic novel locked into the text from Ecclesiastes, but I aspire to include characters with goals and obstacles. BIG CHALLENGE! But that's the fun of this project.