Tip #241: Sensation & experiences

IDENTIFY THE SENSATION AND EXPERIENCE YOU WANT TO EVOKE IN YOUR READER – AND THEN MAKE SURE YOU’RE EVOKING IT.

I cannot possibly stress this enough. We read novels to have an EXPERIENCE.

http://thedarksalon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/something-has-to-happen.html

Tip #159: What precisely are beginning, middle & end?

the beginning is... the emotionally engaging originating event. The middle is the natural and causally related consequence, and the end is the inevitable conclusive event.

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/the-5-essential-story-ingredients

Tip #133: The best short stories

 The best short stories I've read are ones which start in the thick of things, but still keep you guessing and let you get to know the characters before you fully comprehend the trouble they're in.

http://io9.com/366707/8-unstoppable-rules-for-writing-killer-short-stories
I think this is something which can be used in novels too.
NB the writer is speaking from an SF perspective.