Behind the Scenes of a Developmental Edit
If you’re anything like me when I first started taking my writing seriously, you may have heard the term developmental editor tossed around but may not be sure exactly what a developmental edit is or how it’s different from other types of editing.
A developmental edit is the first type of edit you want to have completed for your manuscript. This is the edit that looks at the big picture to ensure that your story works. It looks at things like character arcs, plot development, pacing, and structure and offers guidance and feedback on how you can make your story stronger.
But while most writers know what a copy editor or proofreader’s role is, I’ve found there’s often more confusion over a developmental editor’s role in the writing and editing process. So, in today’s post, I want to give you a peak behind the scenes to show you what a developmental edit is.
When to Pursue a Developmental Edit
Since a developmental edit aims to ensure your story works and is strong as possible, this is the first phase of editing you’ll want to go through. It simply doesn’t make sense to work on sentence-level and grammatical concerns until you’re sure you won’t be going back to change large components of the story.
To help determine if your manuscript is ready to enlist a developmental editor, here’s a quick checklist:
Your manuscript is complete without any significant changes you know you want to make
You know the basic story you want to tell and have a sense of who your audience is
You’ve been through the manuscript at least once (maybe several times) to smooth out any obvious big picture issues
You’re open to hearing where your story could be stronger and willing to put in the work to make it shine
If the above are all true for you and your manuscript, then a developmental edit is likely a good next step. If you don’t yet have a full manuscript or are still struggling to determine the basic story you’re trying to tell and looking for professional support, book coaching would likely be a better service at this juncture than a developmental edit.
My Developmental Editing Process
Whenever I start a developmental edit on a new manuscript, the first thing I do is have the writer complete a questionnaire to help me understand their vision for the story and any areas they’re particularly concerned about. The reason for this is to ensure we’re both on the same page, and these answers guide how I approach feedback. For example, there can be some overlap between romance and women’s fiction, and the same story might be classified as either one depending on which elements are focused on most heavily. Therefore, it’s important I know what genre the author intends their story to be as my feedback and suggestions may be different based on which genre and storylines we want to focus on.
From there, I read through the entire manuscript and take notes. I also write out brief chapter summaries so I can easily see the overall story structure once I’m done reading. While I take ample notes during this pass, I don’t yet make any suggestions within the manuscript since my suggestions might change based on later developments in the story. At this stage, my focus is simply reading the story as it is while taking note of areas to revisit.
After my initial read through of the manuscript, I take some time to review my notes and determine the main areas for improvement. Typically, I’ll find three to five big picture issues that, if resolved, can significantly strengthen the story. Determining what these areas are will then guide my comments and suggestions as I move into my second pass of the manuscript.
Once I know the main areas for improvement, I then do a second read through of the manuscript. This pass is much slower as I pause to leave comments throughout the story as I go. These comments will pertain to not only the main areas for improvement identified but also smaller issues, such as character inconsistencies, point-of-view breaches, confusing or unnatural-sounding dialogue, etc. With each comment, my goal is to not only point out what the issue I’m seeing is but to also provide you with actionable suggestions for how to resolve the issue. This is the key difference in how a developmental edit differs from a critique or beta read: not only will I show you what’s not working, I’ll also always offer ideas of how to make it work.
Once my second read through of the manuscript is complete and comments have been added, I write the edit letter. This letter covers the strengths of the manuscript, the major areas for improvement, as well as a list of smaller story notes. Each major area for improvement is discussed in detail along with suggestions for changes to strengthen the story. The smaller story notes are typically easier changes that I want to draw your attention to before you begin your revision (such as changing a character’s name or repetitive use of specific words).
Once completed, I deliver the edit letter as well as the manuscript with my comments for you to review. I always recommend reading through the edit letter first and then tackling the in-manuscript comments. I’m always available by email for any questions or clarifications, and we can also add on a one-hour call to discuss feedback in greater detail if desired. I also offer feedback on up to 25 revised pages as part of a developmental edit, so you can choose which pages to send back to me for a second look.
The Key Elements I Analyze
What elements does a developmental edit look at? Here is a list of some of the big picture story issues I look at during a developmental edit:
Plot and Structure – Does the story flow? Is the middle sagging or does the ending feel rushed? Are you starting the story in the right place? Do you have any plot discrepancies that need to be reconciled?
Character Development – Are your characters consistent, complex, and motivated? Is your main character’s arc complete and satisfying? Do side characters feel realistic or are they stereotypical? Does dialogue feel natural, or are you trying to convey information unnaturally through dialogue?
Pacing – Where does the story drag or move too fast?
Theme and Voice – Is the theme clear? Is your voice authentic? Is the story on the page conveying the vision you had in your mind of the story you wanted to tell?
Reader Engagement – Will readers feel pulled in and connected to your story and characters? Are there moments where they may pull away or disengage from your story? Are you putting readers into your characters’ heads or are you keeping them at a narrative distance?
The Emotional Side of Editing
There’s no doubt that sending your manuscript to an editor for feedback of this magnitude can feel incredibly vulnerable and overwhelming, but the benefits of pursuing this type of edit can certainly outweigh your fear. Having a fresh, objective set of eyes on your story can help you to see weaknesses you’re unable to since you’re so close to the story. And having a professional editor who can help you not only identify those weaknesses but make suggestions for how to improve the story is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your writing journey.
While we can never fully ameliorate the fear that comes with allowing another person to read and critique our work, my goal is to always make the process as comfortable as possible. I’ll always be honest about where a story isn’t working, but I frame that honesty with encouragement so writers can see not just the problems but the possibilities. My goal is always to teach not just correct and to help writers understand why something isn’t working the way they want it to and how to strengthen it to work better. Ultimately, I want every edit to leave a writer feeling more confident in their story and equipped with tools they can carry into their future writing projects.
At its heart, developmental editing isn’t about tearing a story apart—it’s about helping it shine. It can help you see your manuscript with fresh eyes and gain the clarity and confidence to take your story to the next level.
If you’re ready to take the next step with your novel, I’d love to hear about your story. Reach out today, and together we’ll explore whether developmental editing is the right fit to help you gain clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward.
