Developmental editing is a collaborative and in-depth process focusing on a story’s structure, content, and overall flow.

Unlike proofreading or copyediting, which concentrate on surface-level issues such as grammar and punctuation, developmental editing dives deep into the core of a piece, examining elements such as storyline, themes, characters, and pacing.

I work closely with the author to refine their manuscript’s big-picture elements, ensuring ideas are well-developed and the narrative engages the intended audience.

A primary goal of this stage in the writing process is to identify areas that may need significant revision or rethinking. This could include reorganising chapters for better flow, strengthening weak plot points, and addressing inconsistencies in character development.

Throughout the process, I provide detailed feedback, often posing questions and suggesting alternatives that encourage the author to enhance their work while respecting their creative vision.

While editing fiction, I look at:

• Plot: The sequence of events from start to finish.
• Structure: The plot’s organisation.
• Characterisation: How characters are represented throughout.
• Pacing: The speed at which the story unfolds, ensuring readers are neither rushed nor bored.
• Viewpoint: Is it clear and maintained? Whose eyes do we look through? Whose emotions do we feel? Whose voice dominates?
• Narrative style: Is the story told first, second, or third person?
• Tense: Present? Past?
• Dialogue: Is the dialogue interesting, engaging, or informative? Is it appropriate to the characters and scene?
• Tension/Conflict: Take your readers on a roller coaster of emotions.
• Setting: World building and scene setting.

Developmental editing may require multiple rounds of feedback and revisions. By the end of the process, the manuscript is polished and stronger in its overall execution.

Click below to read a sample developmental editing letter:

Sample 1 | Sample 2