Developmental Editing

While developmental editing your writing, I will look at the “big picture” and ask the tough questions that need to be asked to help you create the best story possible.

Because this process is so nuanced, I offer a free consultation where you and I can clearly express our expectations and goals.

Using Track Changes, I will make specific suggestions for further development, recommendations to rework some areas or provide possibilities to tighten up loose ends in your manuscript. We will also remain in contact via email during the process.

I’ll focus on the following areas:

• * Your Specific Areas of Concern
• * Broad recommendations (Suggestions to clarify the Big Picture)
• * Plot/Premise (What questions are being asked in the narrative? Do these questions drive the story, propelling the plot forward? Will the questions engage the reader and lead the reader to a satisfying resolution?)
• * Dialogue (Does it sound natural, true to character? Is the flow of speech in tune with the pacing of the story?)
• * Worldbuilding (Consistency, authenticity, and believability)
• * Story Structure
• * Character Development (Are the characters multidimensional? Are their personalities and voices consistent? What are their internal and external conflicts, and are their motivations clear throughout the story? Is there enough movement and character depth to make them believable in the world created?)
• * Conflict (How clear and comprehensive are the primary and secondary conflicts? Does the central conflict develop in an engaging way that captivates the reader?
• * Pacing
• * Genre Placement (Where does your novel fit in the publishing industry?)

In short, I’ll summarize how your story works as a book. We’ll also brainstorm the next steps you may want to take when you revise your manuscript.

In addition to the notes made within your document using Track Changes, I’ll also provide a detailed editorial letter. The letter, circa 5-10 pages in length, will describe the main areas suggested for improving and polishing your manuscript based on my developmental editing observations.

Please note that developmental editing will not include revisions or rewrites done by me. However, I may include examples of rewritten segments in my editorial letter to clarify suggestions. Once developmental editing is complete, and after you have completed your revisions, I recommended that your manuscript be line-edited. (As a general rule, manuscripts should be copyedited and proofread before publication.)