On active reading see Adler 1972, p. 46-47.
[[Mortimer J. Adler]] recommands a reader to keep a set of questions as a conducting line when reading a book.
The same can be applied when writing. For example, if you're writing a fiction book, you should frequently ask yourself:
1. What is my conducting line?
2. How are my narrative elements structured?
3. Is my narration verisimilar?
4. Why should the reader care about it?