What Makes A Story "Good"

New writers and not a few more experienced writers often come against the dilemma of "Is my story any good?".

What constitutes "good"?

Well, a few people from over at the Analog forum have come up with a list of what makes a story "good".

If it makes you want to turn the page or read the next paragraph and it keeps going on like that, it's a good story.

If it makes you laugh somewhere along the way, it's a good story.

If it makes you think somewhere along the way, it's a good story.

If it makes you wake up in the middle of the night and reach for it, it's a good story.

If it keeps you awake long after your regular bedtime, it's a good story.

If you find yourself talking about it with your friends, it's a good story.

If you find yourself looking for it online or at the library or a book store, it's a good story.

If you find yourself re-reading it for the second or third or tenth time, it's a good story.

If it makes you lose yourself in it for an hour or a day or week and forget the cares of the day, it's a good story.

Marian added that "If it makes you remember it years later, it's a good story".