1. Fit a Genre
Mystery? Romance? Other?

2. Think Big
A dramatic, high-concept idea

3. Love your Lead
A sympathetic main character

4. Hate your Villain
Give your lead a worthy opponent

5. Hit your target
The right word length for your genre

6. Complicate
Give your lead an interesting subplot

7. Surprise Us
At least three times in your novel

8. Save the best
Resolve important threads last

9. Stay in Viewpoint
Use a set of viewpoint characters

10. Focus on Action
Write mostly in action mode