Story Basics
			These items are essential.  If you cannot answer them now, that's okay.  Answer them when your muse lets you know.  However, if you cannot answer them after 10 pages, this story is unlikely to be read, or ever have a hope of making it out of the slushpile.
			Introduction in 140 words or less:
Is this a story you want to tell, or a story that wants to be told?  If it's the former, STOP HERE.  Please.	Stories you "want" to tell please only you.  Stories that want to be told entertain the world.  Tell the goddamn story! (Thanks, Stephen.)
Genre (be specific and stick to it):			What is the hook?
Do your homework.  Name 3 stories or books or movies in this genre from the last year or two that didn't suck.  Or have vampires.
PoV: 1st, 2nd, 3rd?
Desired page/word count
Setting
Is this the place you want the story to be in, or the place in which the story takes place?
Have you studied it?			Present the hook in one paragraph:
Have you been there?
Can you name 5 things about this place that current residents don't know and would be shocked to learn?
Thing 1
Thing 2
Thing 3			Modern editors have short, grande vanilla-latte with fat free soy attention spans and want to be hooked from the first word.  A "good" book starts in the middle of action and makes the reader want more.
Thing 4
Thing 5
			Back story (all the stuff you want the reader to know before you tell the goddamn story) should be worked into the action, not presented as a prologue.  If an editor sees a book that starts with backstory, it's slush.
CHARACTER of the STORY	What really makes this story hum?
Evaluate this concept again:                               Is this a story you want to tell, or a story that wants to be told?  If it's the former, STOP HERE.  Please.			Things you might consider
			What this character doesn't want anyone to know
Alignment (Good/Bad/Awful)			and what would they do to keep them from finding out?
Humble/Prideful/Arrogant/Demure
Good/bad habits			What this character wants everyone to know or think,
Reputation
Most redeeming quality			and how far would they go to make sure we do?
Worst character flaw
MOTIVATIONS
What makes them love?
Who or what do they love the most?			If this character knew they were going to die tomorrow
What makes them hate?			what would be worth dying for today?
Who or what do they hate the most?
What do they want? (big picture)
Refine it:  The ONE THING they want is…			No character is all good or all bad.
What do they desire RIGHT NOW?			Name 3 things this character does that are out of character.
Refine it:  The ONE  THING they must have…
How far are they willing to go to get it?
What if that isn't enough…
What if that still isn't enough?
Don't lie.  This character would do…
WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY GET IT?!?	If this answer isn't "the end," or it doesn't lead to something they want even more, you're writing a biography.
Character Interview
	A conversation between you and your character only
Before I can tell your story, or your part in the story, tell me why you matter in the grand scheme of things.   Why do you belong in this story?
As we write this story together, can you be as open and honest with me as I need you to be?  The audience can smell bullshit a mile away.  So can I.
Tell me three things that you really want to say, and then tell me which two of those don't matter.
Who do you know that we need to let the audience know about?  Do we need to tell their story, too?  Why, or why not?
	For the story
NEVER tell me where or how your story ends until we get there.  With that said, tell me where your story begins.