Writing Tip: Keep Asking Questions

In order to write an engaging and clear story, the writer should keep asking as many questions as possible at any stage of development. You should write at least one draft to get your thoughts and the story flowing before beginning to dig deeper. The most important questions are about characters and the relationships between them because it's the characters that the reader is following.
Here are some examples:

• Is it clear whose story it is? Is it clear in every scene/chapter?
• Does the introduction introduce the story from the right point of view?
• Is it clear how characters feel about each other? (play with it: someone who turns out to be an antagonistic character later can be a friend at first and vice versa)
• The theme: are different of opposing points of view represented in order to explore the subject in depth?
• How does theme manifest in each scene/chapter?
• What are the dominant emotions during the different stages of the story? Is there enough contrast and variation?
• Is there enough variation in mood or setting?
• Is there any repetition in scenes or events?
• Will the story suffer if I leave this scene or event out?

Or more detailed questions:

• Is this an appropriate prop to use in this scene? Could it be something more original?
• What if I start the scene with another character or a different image?
• What is the atmosphere during this even? How can I create variations within the scene?
• How does the main character feel about this place, person, object?
• How can I make it more uncomfortable for my main character?

Just keep going and come up with questions about anything you've written down. Look at what the characters are doing, what are they saying and to whom, or when (timing). Coming up with questions will help you distance yourself from your writing and develop the story further. You can come up with questions on character, plot, theme, scenes, structure, anything.

Good luck!