Blog #2 The four kinds of fiction editing
So, you’re finally done with your the first draft of your manuscript. Congratulations! Grab a fancy latte and soak up the sun before we move on the real fun of the writing process: editing. But which one is right for you? Let’s talk about it.
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing is the earliest stage of editing a manuscript. This kind of editing focuses on big picture issues such as plot structure, pacing, narrative tension, and so on. Basically, we are looking at the foundational framework of the manuscript (because without it, the interesting characters alone can only carry the story so far). When looking for a developmental editor, make sure they are well-read in the genre of your story and its conventions and tropes. After going through your manuscript, they offer a critique (usually in a form of an editorial letter) regarding issues aforementioned and how to improve upon them, highlighting specific scenes that do work and scenes that can be tightened for tension or rearranged for impact.
Note: This is not to be confused with manuscript evaluation. Although both involves the same thing, developmental editing is more in-depth in providing revisions to address specific areas and issues within the manuscript; the process is an on-going dialogue between editor and author. Manuscript evaluation on the other hand is a one-time assessment with a general critique on story structure, plot, and characters.
Line Editing
This sentence-by-sentence edit analyzes the way the writer uses language to further the storyline. Grammar and spelling is not necessarily the focus here! It is the expression, logic, meaning, and prose that the line editor is concerned with. They fix confusing narrative digressions, mixed metaphors, and other word issues.
Copy Editing
Copy, or text, editing is the correcting (and the heftiest) phase, so that means grammar, spelling, and style check. Copy editors are also concerned with fact checking and copyright. Consistency, clarity, and style is the main goal. If the author doesn’t have one, the copy editor will draft up style sheets of general style and usage, characters, locations, and timeline, all of which they would reference throughout your manuscript to ensure that details are consistent throughout the manuscript. (Alice was sixteen years old in chapters 1-4, but she is thirteen in chapter 5). It is recommended that the manuscript has gone through developmental editing prior to copy editing.
Proofreading
Otherwise known as the quality control phase. After the manuscript undergoes a good amount of editing and is ready to be published, all that is left is for proofreaders to scour the manuscript for superficial errors. The aim here is to catch minor errors in spelling, typography, and grammar. Things like catching an accidental name change from Elda to Elsa, for example. (IYKYK). We want to make sure your manuscript is as polished as possible.
Which editing do I need?
If you just finished the first draft of your story, I’d recommend developmental editing to ensure your story has a strong narrative structure and plot. Doing this early on in the editing phase will save you a world of headaches and major revisions when you’re waist-deep into multiple drafts. Also, most copy editors will take on your manuscript only after it has gone through developmental editing.
Once that’s done, it’s up to the author if they want line editing or not. Some copy editors offer line edits in tandem with copy editing. If you are concerned with pacing, style, and word choice, I highly recommend looking for a line editor before copy edits.
Every writer should have their manuscript copy edited. Period. It is the correcting phase after all and along with developmental editing, I consider this one among the essential kinds of editing.
Proofreading is the final line of defense before setting your story free into the literary world!
I hope you find this helpful. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help! 😊
