What Is Developmental Editing?

When it comes to crafting a novel, the path from the initial concept to the final polished manuscript can be a daunting one.

After spending weeks, months, or even years writing your novel, you feel like the hard work is behind you. But if you're looking to publish your story, you're going to want to make sure the story in your head is the one that made it onto the page.

As the author, you know everything there is to know about your fictional world. While that's a blessing, it's also a curse when it comes to wanting others to enjoy your story as much as you do.

A reader who is turning that first page, does not have the story knowledge that you do. They are stepping into your story world completely brand new, which means they will have a completely different perception of the events, characters, and setting.

Here is where a potential conflict arises: how do you edit your own work, with all the knowledge and story background that you have, for a brand new reader who has none of that? How can you predict the questions that will arise and the things that will confuse or frustrate them, when you're the author?

This is where developmental editing comes in.

A developmental editor acts as the bridge between the author and the reader. The editor has the knowledge of writing craft and the elements of fiction, the feedback from the author about their vision for their story, and the fresh perspective that a new reader has when they flip the first page and begin reading.

Where Does Developmental Editing Fit?

In fiction novels, there are four stages of editing:

• Developmental Editing

• Line Editing

• Copyediting

• Proofreading

Each type of editing has it's own unique approach and purpose.

When most people think of fiction editing, they think of an editor reading through a manuscript with a red pen, circling spelling mistakes and grammar errors. If you're looking for that type of editing, you'll want to read more about copyediting and proofreading.

However, before we can dig into the smaller errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax, we first have to address the big-picture story issues. After all, correcting spelling mistakes won't be very helpful if the story needs to have parts rewritten later on.

That's why the first stage of fiction editing is the developmental edit.

To get an idea of what this type of editing involves, let's start with an analogy.

You're building your dream house from the ground up. You've sketched out the blueprint and laid the foundation. Before you can move on to drywall and painting and decorating, you'll want to have a professional come in and ensure the structure of the house is sound. After all, no matter how beautiful your wall color is, it won't matter if your house starts tilting at an angle like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Laying the Foundation

Can you tell I have zero experience with building houses? The point is, it's important to ensure a sturdy foundation before fussing with the smaller details when you're building a house.

Developmental editing is the comprehensive process of shaping and strengthening your manuscript's foundation.

It goes beyond the line-level issues of word choice or grammar (those will be addressed later in a separate edit), and instead ensure that the novel has a solid structure.

So why does this matter?

It matters because no matter how perfect the grammar, or how eloquent the writing, a reader will not want to carry on with a story if the plot is a random series of disconnected events, or if the personality of the characters seem to change from page to page.

These story inconsistencies can ruin the illusion of the fictional experience. When we encounter things that don't make sense or confuse us while reading, it makes us very aware that this isn't a real series of events, but simply words on a page written by an author. It ruins the magic of the fictional world.

Story inconsistencies can ruin the illusion of the fictional experience.

While fiction readers know the story isn't real, a great novel can be so immersive that they briefly forget that fact. That's where the fun of reading fiction comes in. When a story makes us forget ourselves and the events of the novel feel real.

What Issues Are Addressed in a Developmental Edit?

As previously mentioned, a developmental edit is centered around the main elements of fiction. These include:

• Plot, pacing, and structure

• Character development, arcs, and believability

• Point of view and narration

• Setting, worldbuilding, and timeline

• Theme, tone, and writing style

Let's dive into a few of these to get a better idea of what a developmental editor is really looking for.

Enhancing Story Structure

One of the key aspects of developmental editing is analyzing and refining the structure of the story. This involves examining the narrative arc, plot progression, and pacing to ensure the story flows effectively from one chapter to the next.

A developmental edit will identify areas of imbalance (is the first half more action-packed than the second half?), plot holes (is there something addressed earlier in the story that is contradicted later on?), and pacing (is the story paced too fast or too slow for the genre and the goal of the story?).

Deepening Character Development

Amazing characters breathe life into a story and get readers emotionally invested. While plot is important, a lot of readers will actually overlook a mediocre plot if they are invested in the characters.

A developmental edit will help to create multidimensional characters with depth and authenticity. They analyze character arcs (positive change, negative change, and flat), motivations (does each character have their own goals and beliefs that drive their decisions?), and relationships (are character interactions and dialogue believable?).

Clarifying Theme and Tone

Have you ever considered why you can read a story about someone in a situation that's wildly different to anything you've ever experienced, yet you empathize and relate to them?

Yes, character is a big cause of this, but it's also theme.

Theme is the underlying message beneath the story. This doesn't have to be a moral lesson, but can be commentary on the human experience that everyone can relate to such as family conflict, grief, isolation, and countless others.

Every story carries underlying themes and messages. A developmental edit will refine and clarify these elements, ensuring they are effectively conveyed to the reader. There is a fine balance between an impactful theme, and a heavy-handed moral lesson. A developmental edit will strengthen the thematic resonance without making the theme feel cliched or excessive.

Developmental Editing Questions

When reading a manuscript, a developmental editor will ask questions like:

• Are the story's scenes presented in a logical and effective order?

• Do the story events follow a logical sequence of cause-and-effect?

• Are there any plot holes that may take the reader out of the story?

• Is the pace of the novel appropriate for the genre and the story?

• Does the story follow genre conventions in a new and interesting way?

• Is the tone of the writing consistent throughout?

• Is the chosen viewpoint character the best person to narrate the story?

• Is the chosen point of view (first, second, third) consistent throughout?

• Is the theme of the novel effectively woven into the story?

• Do the characters have distinct personalities that feel layered and real?

• Does each character have their own goals or motivations?

• Does each character have flaws and obstacles to overcome?

• Does each story scene have a beginning, middle, and end?

These are just some of the many topics that are addressed in a developmental edit.

Can You Developmental Edit Your Own Novel?

The short answer is kind of.

Before consulting an editor, it's a great idea for a writer to go back through their manuscript and ask themselves some of the questions listed above. The more you can dive into the story and address these issues on your own, the better your final product will be.

However, many writers can often have blind spots to their own work.

As the creator, you will never be able to take the perspective of someone who is reading your story for the first time.

Which means that even if you take a developmental editing approach to your novel, you will never have the thoughts or questions that the average reader will have about your story.

Best practice is to do your own round of developmental editing first, then hire a professional to address those story issues that you might have missed because of that blind spot mentioned above.

What's Involved in a Developmental Edit?

Generally, this type of edit involves a couple of passes through the manuscript.

The first pass being a readthrough to get a full picture of where the story is headed.

The second pass is where feedback is added into the manuscript document, through Microsoft Word's Comment feature.

Another part of a developmental edit is the editorial report, where strengths are encouraged, and weaknesses are addressed, along with ways to elevate those areas for consideration. The page length will vary depending on the editor and their feedback, but keep in mind that a longer report, isn't always better.

Receiving developmental feedback can be overwhelming, and it's important to be able to gather the main areas for improvement from the report, and focus on elevating those areas.

Developmental editing is a collaborative process; the editor is using their expertise to tell you ways to improve upon your story and elevate your writing. But remember; it's your story. As the creator, you are always free to take the feedback you find helpful, and leave the parts that you don't agree with.

Take what serves you, and leave the rest behind.

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Further Reading

For more about developmental editing, check out these articles:

The Write Practice - What Is Developmental Editing? The Writer’s Guide to Developmental Editing

Bubble Cow - A Detailed Guide to Developmental Editing

Knowadays - What Is Developmental Editing?