Reading Time: 5 minutes

Developmental Editing

A developmental editor is crucial in guiding authors to refine their stories by offering insightful suggestions to enhance critical elements such as character development, themes, and plot consistency. Contact Atwood LLC for more information.

What is Developmental Editing?

Developmental editing involves reviewing and restructuring a manuscript to improve its content, structure, and flow. Editors work closely with authors to refine the manuscript’s vision and narrative, ensuring effective communication of its message to the target audience.

Developmental editors are essential for authors looking to bring their manuscripts to life. Their two main objectives are to assist authors in revising their work and to ensure that the final product is engaging for the intended audience. Developmental editing is vital in achieving both goals.

A Word of Caution

Whenever an author receives feedback from their editor to revise or remove parts of their story, it is essential for all involved to approach the guidance with an open mind. Editors seek to help enhance and strengthen the material to produce a more polished final product rather than imposing their personal preferences onto the work.

Note

Authors should know that developmental editing, like a manuscript critique, can occur at any stage. However, even though there is an overlap between the processes, authors should keep in mind the following key points:

A manuscript critique is vital for authors working on a broad, overarching level, as it helps ensure that the story is compelling and worth telling while also helping the author evaluate the narrative’s strengths and weaknesses. The valuable recommendations often lead to revisions, making the process more straightforward. (While not an “editing” step, a manuscript critique is always recommended for writers who are at a loss or unsure where to go next.)
A developmental edit is a thorough review that examines the same elements as the manuscript critique but in greater detail. Once completed, it often leads to substantial rewrites or revisions. This stage is crucial because the changes made after the editing result in significant material alterations.

The Differences Between a Manuscript Critique & Developmental Edit

Four primary distinctions exist between a manuscript critique and a developmental edit: (1) the depth of feedback, (2) interactivity, (3) implementation, and (4) cost and time.

Depth of Feedback

Manuscript Critique: This review comprehensively evaluates the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses. The feedback is presented in a detailed letter or report, emphasizing critical areas for improvement without delving into specific revisions.
Developmental Edit: This service provides thorough feedback with specific recommendations for changes. It involves margin notes, detailed editorial comments, and, at times, a revised outline or structure for the manuscript.

Interactivity

Manuscript Critique: This is usually a one-time service where the editor reviews the manuscript and provides a critique, requiring minimal ongoing interaction.
Developmental Edit: This often involves more collaboration between the author and editor. Multiple rounds of edits and feedback may make it a more interactive and iterative process.

Implementation

Manuscript Critique: Authors receive constructive feedback and can independently decide how to incorporate it into their work.
Developmental Edit: Editors provide hands-on support, working closely with authors to implement changes and offering guidance throughout the revision process.

Cost and Time

Manuscript Critique: Usually more affordable and faster than a developmental edit, as it requires less extensive involvement from the editor.
Developmental Edit: The feedback process is more extensive and time-consuming, resulting in higher costs due to its thorough and iterative nature.

An open hard back book with a pair of glasses and a phone — The Nitty Gritty Details

Types of projects a remote virtual admin support specialist manages — Administrative Projects

Tools Your Developmental Editor Uses

Asana
Bitwarden
Brevo
Buffer
Calendly
Canva
ChatGPT
ClickUp
Dropbox
Evernote
Facebook
Freshbooks
Google Workspace
Grammarly
Hootsuite
HubSpot
HubSpot Meeting
LinkedIn
MailChimp
Microsoft 365
Pinterest
Scrivener
SurveyMonkey
TimeCamp
Trello
WhatsApp

Developmental Editing Tasks

The Developmental Editing Process

The developmental editing process consists of seven stages, each contributing to improving the manuscript. Atwood LLC’s process is as follows, with in-line commentary added using Microsoft’s Track Changes program.

First Read. The first reading is to make general notes for the style sheet on the plot’s development, the evolution of characters from their introduction to the conclusion, and the supplemental information the author includes to enhance the story.

Second Read. Here, the editor’s expertise shines through as she thoroughly expands on her original thoughts about the key components, including in-line commentary.

Book Map. The editor develops the Book Map, a chapter-by-chapter outline of the story as a critical tool in the editing process.

Style Sheet. The editor completes the style sheet.

Letter of Transmittal. The editor creates the letter of transmittal, which explains the information the author is receiving, how to use it, and the next steps for a follow-up conversation.

Complementary Review. After the author completes the revision process, a final review is conducted, with added notes added as necessary.

Final Polish. The editor returns all edited files to the author in preparation for the next editing phase.

Developmental Editing Areas of Focus

Like the manuscript critique, a developmental edit evaluates the big picture (although specific details are addressed when necessary). The main areas of focus include:

Ambiguity

Audience

Character Development

Character Motivations

Clarity

Continuity

Pacing

Plot Holes

Point of View (POV)

Presentation

Reader Expectation

Story Arcs

Structure

Tense

Use of Dialogue

Worldbuilding

Developmental Editing Style Sheet

Editors create a style sheet to track all editorial changes made during editing. This document is shared with everyone involved, from the author to the proofreader, to ensure consistency throughout the manuscript as it approaches publication.

Atwood LLC evaluates the following areas for developmental edits:

Summary

Strengths

Weaknesses

Character Evaluation

Example Passages

Setting Suggestions

Structural Assessment

Thematic Observations

Voice Pointers

Writing Guidance

Recommendations Moving Forward