✨Editing Process Insight: Developmental Editing from The Crafty Fox Editing Services
Some insight into my developmental editing process.
Hey Story Crafters,
Happy 2023! I hope you all had a restful holiday season, and that you’re ready to tackle the start of the new year. 😊
I’ve been doing a lot of developmental editing projects lately, so in this post, I’d like to explain my process for developmental editing a little more.
For more information about my editing services and rates, and to read client reviews, visit my website.
Below is how I define developmental editing on my website.
Developmental Editing
Also known as substantive editing. I check which storytelling elements (especially character development) are effective, and which aren’t as effective, from a “big picture” perspective of the manuscript as a whole. This includes evaluating how these elements work within chapters as well.
My overall goal for developmental editing is to make sure your story has a strong narrative arc your readers will want to follow, and interesting characters they’ll want to know and care about.
The Deliverables
1. The edited manuscript.
When I receive a manuscript for a developmental edit, I do a readthrough where I make notes of general impressions, like notable narrative beats or character development. The second time I go through the manuscript is when I start editing.
In a developmental edit, I usually perform developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting on the first 5 pages of the manuscript. The line editing and copyediting are to give the author an idea of the additional editorial support their manuscript could benefit from, and what that support will look like from me. For the rest of the manuscript, developmental editing is contained in the comments on the sidebar.
2. Developmental editing tracking sheet.
What is a developmental editing tracking sheet?
It’s a way for me to keep track of characters, locations, unique objects or weapons (if applicable), and other important details relevant to the story. This gives the author an idea of how one type of reader interprets and responds to these details. It also gives the author the chance to catch details that may have been overlooked during the self-editing process. For example, maybe a character’s name was changed halfway through the story, but the author forgot to make those changes consistent. On the tracking sheet, I would mark the unknown name as “[Unknown Name] (?)” and query the author in the comments of the edited manuscript.
The tracking sheet also helps me track time in the manuscript. This usually means listing the days (or hours) specifically mentioned in the story, and what happens in that time frame. For example:
Day 1 (Monday): Helen picks up her estranged sister from the airport. They spend the car ride home in silence, only for an argument to spark at the house when Helen accidentally damages Jess’s prized guitar.
The photo below is a template of how a typical developmental editing tracking sheet looks like from me.
3. Editorial letter.
The editorial letter is where the full weight lies for a developmental edit from me. I address areas of strength, areas for the author to consider during revision, and any areas of interest the author wants me to review specifically (e.g., how effective the storytelling is in keeping reader engagement).
I cite specific examples from the manuscript, and expand on comments made in-manuscript in greater detail. I’m a big fan of using the Headings style in Word for organization and navigation in the editorial letter, along with bullet points and font styles.
Below is the basic template of what an editorial letter (for all types of editing services) might look like from me. Each letter is, of course, personalized for the intended author and their manuscript!
4. Follow-up Communication.
After the edited manuscript is returned, the author can follow-up with me by email. The author can send up to 10 emails in the 30 business days after the return of the edited manuscript + other deliverables for support.
*Important note: I don’t recommend having a manuscript undergo a developmental edit with another type of editing service. A developmental edit should happen as an individual service, because the changes you choose to make afterwards will most likely affect the line and/or copyediting that was also performed on your manuscript.
I hope this explains my process for developmental editing a little clearer. If you’re interested in learning more, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Until next time!
Best,
Leah