One comes from industry: the "Five Whys." Whenever there is a problem, you need to ask why five times. I can see the applicability to fiction:
- Theodora must go to this planet.
- Why?
- to perform a certain ceremony
- Why?
- Because if it's not performed by a member of the royal family, the kingdom will cease to be ruled by the king
- Why?
- Because it's the law from pre-Unification days.
- Why?
- Because the Unification was an immensely chaotic business and this law was not one of the most urgent to change.
- Why?
- Because it wasn't going to affect anything for nearly a century.
And then there's character description. I've heard this twice with two different criteria. One was to test how deep a character is by whether you can describe them without their name or attire. The other was the same, without their name, occupation, or appearance. Hmm. Occupation can be a rather significant element, whether you chose it yourself or were forced into it. Has anyone heard of a different list?
