A developmental edit is a deep and comprehensive edit that focuses on making your manuscript as tight and polished as possible before it goes to print.
Here are a few things you can typically expect from a developmental edit:
• Comprehensive review of the overall structure, character development, plot, pacing and other key elements of your manuscript.
• Suggestions for improving your storytelling, character arcs, and scene structure.
• Identifying areas where additional research and/or rewriting is needed.
• Suggestions for refining details to improve the overall quality of your writing.
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen your language and ensure your arguments are sound.
• Assistance in removing repetition and unnecessary words.
• Evaluating whether the dialogue, action, and detail move the story forward.
• Feedback on formatting and title suggestions.
In addition to these elements, the developmental editor can also help you stay focused and organized during the writing process, provide additional guidance on submitting your work for publication, and help you create a timeline for completing the project.
Most developmental editors also provide an overall assessment of the manuscript and general guidance on how to make your writing more engaging.
It’s important to remember that a developmental edit is not a substitute for proofreading, copyediting, or line editing – it’s intended to provide an overarching analysis of the entire manuscript.
If you’re looking to take your writing to the next level, a developmental edit is a great way to get professional feedback that will help you craft a better story.
