What is Developmental Editing?
Is working with a DE right for your story, right now?
Imagine your story as a weave of threads - character, plot, theme, setting - all shaping and developing in chorus. A good Developmental Editor will find those threads and analyze their structure, focus, and consistency to. Ensuring threads aren’t getting tangled or buried underneath others, and that each has the space to develop individually while fitting harmoniously into the bigger picture.
Developmental editors are an author’s constructive collaborator. They know what publishers, agents, and readers want. Development editors offer structured, detailed edits - different from proofreading or beta reading - through a professional lens, making their assessments based on what can be done to make the manuscript stand out.
When is the right time for a developmental edit?
As a first time author, if you’ve ever:
Felt yourself losing perspective after months of revision and rewrites
Started to question the elements of your story
Identified that there’s a problem with an aspect of your manuscript, but are unable to put your finger on it
Felt that your story has room to grow, but can’t see a way to help it do so
Wondered why the story in your head - with all its details and subtleties - is having a hard time translating onto the page
Don’t worry, these are natural in the writing process - especially when starting out. Instead of letting these feelings stop you, take them as signs that you’re ready for the next step in the process: seeking the help of a developmental editor.
The most common stage for first-time writers to engage the services of a developmental editor is after a first or second draft. You’ve done a self-edit, gathered feedback from friends and beta readers, but it feels like there’s another step to take before shopping your story around or beginning self-publishing. This is when collaborating with a developmental editor is most valuable.
“The most common stage for first-time writers to engage the services of a developmental editor is after a first or second draft. ”
That said, it’s never too late (or too early) for a developmental editor’s skills to be applied to your story. Because developmental editors focus on the big picture, they can help writers at any stage - a finished draft, stuck in the writing process, or even those with just an outline. This is why I offer a variety of options for writers across all stages in the writing process [link to packages].
It’s also highly preferred that you work with a developmental editor before getting into the smaller, detailed edits of other editors (like copy editors). If a copy editor reviews grammar, sentence structure, word choice, and then you later decide with your developmental editor to restructure the chapter, you’ll be doubling the workload and lengthening the revision process.
How do you know if developmental editing is right for your story?
Let’s be real, if you’ve read this far, you’re probably ready to try it and experience the benefits firsthand! Your favorite, successful author has probably used developmental editors, whether via their publisher or by hiring an independent editor. Even the most genius of minds know the benefits of developing their story with the support of a skilled collaborator.
LET’S TRANSFORM YOUR STORY TOGETHER
Take advantage of a free 15 minute consultation with me to discuss your novel. Allow me to help you determine the next steps for you and your story.