Shooting Star Editing

Developmental edit

There are four levels of editing, each approaching your manuscript with a different lens. The developmental edit (or substantive edit) is an analysis and critique of the big-picture elements of your story. It’s the telescopic view., where the focus is on the larger structures, such as characterization, plot, internal consistency, pacing, and premise.

The next level is line editing, which focuses on elements like sentence and paragraph structure, word choice, and flow. After that comes the copy edit, which zooms in on the details of grammar, mechanics, and usage. Finally, a proofreader will catch typos and errors to polish up before a book goes to print.

While you may or may not edit as you go, depending on your writing process, it’s generally recommended to start with a developmental edit or manuscript evaluation when you begin seeking editing services. If the larger structures aren’t already in place, parts of a line edit, copy edit, or proofread that you paid for will go out the window when you realize you need to make a major change with a character arc or fix a plot hole.

A professional developmental edit can be useful whether you seek to submit to agents and traditional publishers or publish independently. If your book is not succeeding at connecting with readers outside your acquaintance, including agents and publishers, it may be time to consult with an editor to determine which types of changes could help your book establish that connection you want.

A developmental edit or evaluation can also be helpful when you’re running into issues or stuck partway through a draft.

What is a developmental edit?

How can a developmental edit help me connect with my readers?

Story structure is a language we understand as human beings, whether we’re aware of it or not. Whatever form it takes, it has the potential to take us on an emotional, transformative journey. It’s not just about plot. It’s also about character. As human beings, we all deal with change, choices, and conflict, just as our characters do. And just like our characters, we have motivations and beliefs based on our experiences with life.

Your readers are wired to experience what your characters are experiencing. The things that happen to your characters, the actions they take, the way their world shapes their experience, the ways they choose to transform or not, and the timing of it all . . . your readers want to live that right along with the characters because it’s an exploration of how to navigate their own lives. And it can make them feel something. (Even if the character they’re relating to is an alien, robot, or magical being.)

If something about the structure is off or missing, such as character motivation, timing, or internal consistency, it can pull the reader out of the story. A developmental edit can help you find ways to bring the structural elements together in a way that will engage the reader and take them on a journey through the characters’ experiences, choices, and possibilities of transformation.

What deliverables can I expect from a developmental edit?

I will do an in-depth analysis of the big-picture elements of your work, leaving comments and suggestions throughout your manuscript. I will also provide you with an editorial letter with my analysis, suggested changes, and ideas for next steps forward. I will provide a book map, which lists each scene and what it’s contributing to the story.

My goal as an editor is to encourage and help you become a better writer, and to help you find ways to created an immersive and meaningful experience for your readers.

If you’re interested in working with me, please fill out the form below to request a sample edit.

request a free

A sample edit may give you insight on your work and help determine whether we would be a good fit. We can discuss your goals and hopes for your work and how I can help you achieve that vision. I will provide a quote. If we decide to work together, we will each sign a contract, with protections for your work and a statement of work that defines the scope of services.