Developmental Editing (for fiction writers)
If you’d like feedback and guidance on your plot, characters, and story structure, then a developmental edit can help.
I will provide you with a professional critique of your entire manuscript that includes in-line edits (using ‘track changes’ and the comments feature of MS Word) and a detailed revision letter. The revision letter will provide you with suggestions for strengthening your story and advice on how you might move forward with your project.
Please note that this is not a proofreading or copyediting service.
As every manuscript has different needs, I price on a per-project basis.
As a very rough estimate, the fee for a 90,000 word novel could fall anywhere between £1,300 and £2,000 (payment plans are available).
I offer free sample edits, to see if we’d be a good fit. Contact me for details.
More on developmental editing
About Developmental Editing
Developmental editing–also known as big-picture editing–evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of how a story is crafted. Developmental editing takes into consideration the author’s unique voice and writing style and works within it. The editor does not rewrite the work but makes specific suggestions as to how the author can strengthen all aspects of the story to reflect what they’re trying to say in the most compelling way.
Examples of what is covered by developmental editing:
Plot inconsistencies/plot weaknesses
Characters who may be underdeveloped or whose actions aren’t quite believable
Structural weaknesses (narrative arc)
Character arc/s
Character relationships
Inconsistent point of view/impact of point of view on story
Inconsistent story details
Setting and its impact on story
Pacing
Ineffective use of tension
Theme and how effectively (or ineffectively) it’s conveyed
And more!
In other words, developmental editing is a general critique of what’s working and what isn’t. It is not copyediting or proofreading, but an overall view of the story and writing.
The developmental edit usually takes place when the author has reached the point where they can no longer do anything more with the story on their own. This is often when the story is in its second or third draft, but may come later, depending on the writer’s process.
Often, authors will decide to implement big changes as the result of a developmental edit: chapters may move around, characters may change, and so on. Because of this, developmental editing is carried out prior to line edits, copyediting, and proofreading.
Questions you may have about developmental editing
Who is it for?
Developmental editing is for anyone looking for big-picture feedback on their story.
What does the editor do?
Every editor has a different process. I generally read through the manuscript at least twice (these are also known as editing “passes”).
On my first “pass” I read through the material and make notes on structure, plot and character development/motivation issues, etc.
After this first pass, I take time to actively reflect on my reading experience. This stage of my process involves making more notes about the story and my observations of it.
Once I feel I’ve got a good grasp of what’s not quite working with the story, I begin examining it in more detail. It’s during this stage that I begin to really get under the surface of the story, analysing what I think might be happening with the writing. This involves figuring out where the writer might be going off track and why, as well as how the author might go about getting back on track in order to strengthen their story. This stage usually involves brainstorming solutions that might help the writer to more effectively convey the story I think they’re trying to tell. It may also involve creating a reverse outline/narrative spine, or even a bookmap (more on bookmaps here).
On my second pass (or read through), I use Microsoft Word’s ‘track changes’ and comments functions to show you where the weaknesses are in your story, explaining why I believe they’re weaknesses, what might be leading to them and giving you potential solutions (where I can). In other words, this stage of the work involves raising specific suggestions with regards to structure, plot, setting, pace, characterisation, and any other areas of concern.
After both passes are complete, I prepare a letter to guide you in your revision. This letter summarises my overall developmental concerns, tying my comments together and providing advice on how you might go about strengthening any weak/weaker areas. I then return the edited manuscript with my revision letter.
In some cases, it may be beneficial to undergo more than one round of developmental editing.
What happens after the developmental edit?
After you receive the edit, it’s important to take the time to read through everything—the edit itself, the revision letter and any accompanying notes or articles you may have received.
While many authors are keen to start redrafting right away, in my experience, taking the time to digest feedback often results in a stronger and more considered revision. Also, for some authors, editing can feel invasive—’who is this person to tell me about my characters!’ This is a natural reaction as creative writing is close to an author’s heart (and for good reason!). However, if this is something that you can relate to, it’s even more important to take the time to process and consider feedback before redrafting. Of course, this is not to say that the editor is always right (far from it!), but only to say that when authors make carefully considered decisions about their stories, the stories nearly always benefit.
It is up to you to decide whether or not to make any or all of the suggested changes. If you do, you then go back and rework those sections of the manuscript, accepting or rejecting changes as you see fit.
Most of my edits include a complimentary consultation to discuss your revision. During this consultation you should feel free to ask any questions you might have about my edit and your writing going forward. If you’d like additional time to discuss your revision, you might find my coaching service helpful.
If, after rewriting, you’d like me to read the manuscript again, then I’d be happy to do so. This would either be charged as a second round of developmental editing or I could carry out a manuscript critique and give you a broad overview of the strengths and weaknesses of your rewrite, alongside guidance for your next draft. (This round is generally discounted as I’m already familiar with your writing and the story.)
I’m also happy to continue working with you as a book/writing coach, if that’s something you feel would be helpful. So, for example, if you wanted regular brainstorming sessions while redrafting, then this could be arranged. (For more on my coaching services, click here.)
How long will it take?
This depends on the level of input required. In general, a full developmental edit of a 90,000 word novel will take me approximately five weeks to complete.
When should I arrange for my book to be edited?
It’s up to you. I think it’s best to organise editing when the manuscript is ready to be edited, or nearly ready. This is because a manuscript assessment* will need to be carried out in order to determine how much time and editorial input might be required. If you’re still writing the story when editing is arranged then the assessment could be incorrect and this would then result in an inaccurate quote.
*A manuscript assessment takes place when an editor reads a chapter or two from the beginning, middle, and end of a manuscript, in order to get an idea of the overall shape it’s in.