Developmental Editing
This page is dedicated to details about the developmental editing step of the process. It's the first step in the editing process, where writer and editor examine big-picture problems and strengths.
My developmental editing rate includes one initial read of the manuscript with diligent in-text annotations and a full-length editorial report of strengths, weaknesses, what's missing, and writing style advice. The author then has time to make revisions, and my services include a second read of revisions to make sure issues are resolved. If more rounds are necessary, we transition to an hourly rate.
This page is dedicated to details about the developmental editing step of the process. It's the first step in the editing process, where writer and editor examine big-picture problems and strengths.
My developmental editing rate includes one initial read of the manuscript with diligent in-text annotations and a full-length editorial report of strengths, weaknesses, what's missing, and writing style advice. The author then has time to make revisions, and my services include a second read of revisions to make sure issues are resolved. If more rounds are necessary, we transition to an hourly rate.
Examples of Feedback:
Big Picture
Organization
Reduction
Repetition
Once you've said something in a paragraph, chapter, or the book, anything else on the subject should build on the idea and add new information.
Redundancy
Situations where if one thing is true, the other has to be true, so you don't need to explain both!
Over-explaining
We don't want to talk to the reader like they're five years old (unless they asked you to ☺). All details or explanations should be appropriate and helpful to the demographic reading it.
Too abstract
Philosophy and theology often talk about subjects and concepts that can not be easily illustrated or described. There's certainly a lot of that needed in books of self-help, motivation, and strong emotion. However, too much of an abstract thought train can confuse, exhaust, or bore the reader. Keep them engaged through a mix of concrete thought, examples, metaphors, and references.
Expansion
Not enough information
The goal of a book is not to send the reader on a quest to "Google" ideas the author brought up but never explained, or to leave them hanging on something the writer committed to walk them through.
Confusion
While a writer often pictures themself talking with their reader, the book will reach many hands they'll never get to meet. I make sure the book's message is not misconstrued, needlessly controversial, or hard to follow so they keep reading! If you have to warn someone, tell them what they're supposed to be getting out of the book, etc., then your book cannot stand on its own, and it needs to.
Inconsistency
Readers want to follow your train of thought and trust your credibility. Inconsistent style, information, or organization can put them on edge.
Any other areas you request I take note of and provide feedback on.
Big Picture
Organization
- Are the chapters meant to build on each other, demonstrate a timeline, and/or maintain different focuses?
- Can the reader follow what the writer is saying?
- How fast does the author move through content?
- Is character development occurring at a normal rate of change?
- Does the plot change too often or too little?
- Is the suspension of disbelief consistent (too much absurdity too close together makes a reader feel disconnected).
- Does the book stay on-topic, relevant, and with a clear train of thought?
- For fiction, do character arcs undermine the plot? Or vice versa?
- I’m not an expert in every field, but I can flag things that are highly contestable, controversial, or offensive.
- I have an intermediate understanding of Christian theology and doctrine, and I'm not afraid to comment on aspects that are potentially heretical or misleading.
- If something seems “off,” I’m going to ask for sources and fact-check it too.
- For fiction, I will talk with author about plausibility, even in a fantasy or magical realism scenario.
- Does the book offer something new and not obvious to the reader?
- Is it something they can apply to their life?
- Is it something interesting they couldn’t read anywhere else?
- For fiction, is this something engaging for the reader? Is it entertaining?
- What is it missing in the genre or needs of the demographic?
- If something occurred in the book, making sure the plot or character development does not contradict.
- For fiction, questions like "what character fell out of the story?" "What ever happened to the ... in chapter ...?"
Reduction
Repetition
Once you've said something in a paragraph, chapter, or the book, anything else on the subject should build on the idea and add new information.
Redundancy
Situations where if one thing is true, the other has to be true, so you don't need to explain both!
Over-explaining
We don't want to talk to the reader like they're five years old (unless they asked you to ☺). All details or explanations should be appropriate and helpful to the demographic reading it.
Too abstract
Philosophy and theology often talk about subjects and concepts that can not be easily illustrated or described. There's certainly a lot of that needed in books of self-help, motivation, and strong emotion. However, too much of an abstract thought train can confuse, exhaust, or bore the reader. Keep them engaged through a mix of concrete thought, examples, metaphors, and references.
Expansion
Not enough information
The goal of a book is not to send the reader on a quest to "Google" ideas the author brought up but never explained, or to leave them hanging on something the writer committed to walk them through.
- Did the writer pose a question or describe a problem but not solve it?
- When explaining something, more information can help improve understanding of the concept.
- Sometimes writers introduce a memory or experience, but do not expand enough for the mention to be helpful.
- Sometimes in the excitement of outlining and pursuing the original idea and the developing idea, promised information is left out.
Confusion
While a writer often pictures themself talking with their reader, the book will reach many hands they'll never get to meet. I make sure the book's message is not misconstrued, needlessly controversial, or hard to follow so they keep reading! If you have to warn someone, tell them what they're supposed to be getting out of the book, etc., then your book cannot stand on its own, and it needs to.
- Did the writer inadvertently contradict themself?
- Was the explanation unclear in a long-form way?
- Did examples end up muddling the idea?
Inconsistency
Readers want to follow your train of thought and trust your credibility. Inconsistent style, information, or organization can put them on edge.
- Did the writer say one thing, then defend the opposite?
- Are the tone, length of chapter, elements of a story, etc. the same throughout?
Any other areas you request I take note of and provide feedback on.
What to Expect:
How long does it take?
Developmental editing requires specialty understanding of genre and often subject matter. Sometimes it involves fact-checking and research for suggestions. I typically ask that authors expect three months from the beginning to the end of developmental editing.
How involved is the writer?
This is a very collaborative step of the process. After I've read the book, commented on it, and sent a detailed report, we talk through our game plan. After that, I send the manuscript with comments as well as a separate document with recommendations for revisions. Any revisions suggested are up to the discretion of the author, but they should expect to do some rewriting or writing. I typically recommend planning on one month back in front of the keyboard.
Is it necessary?
In short, yes. It might be a great concept or idea, it might be a compelling plot or lovable characters, but if the story isn't told, paced, organized, and thorough in a captivating and believable way, it will not reach its destined audience. There are times when authors prefer their content stay written as is, in the order it is, with the information as is. In this case, developmental editing would not be worth it.
Developmental editing requires specialty understanding of genre and often subject matter. Sometimes it involves fact-checking and research for suggestions. I typically ask that authors expect three months from the beginning to the end of developmental editing.
How involved is the writer?
This is a very collaborative step of the process. After I've read the book, commented on it, and sent a detailed report, we talk through our game plan. After that, I send the manuscript with comments as well as a separate document with recommendations for revisions. Any revisions suggested are up to the discretion of the author, but they should expect to do some rewriting or writing. I typically recommend planning on one month back in front of the keyboard.
Is it necessary?
In short, yes. It might be a great concept or idea, it might be a compelling plot or lovable characters, but if the story isn't told, paced, organized, and thorough in a captivating and believable way, it will not reach its destined audience. There are times when authors prefer their content stay written as is, in the order it is, with the information as is. In this case, developmental editing would not be worth it.
