Developmental editing is an important step in the writing process that helps turn your manuscript from a rough draft into a cohesive and well-structured work. Also known as substantive editing, it focuses on the “big picture” portions of a document, such as the overall structure, plot, character development, theme, pacing, and overall flow. Unlike copyediting, which tends to focus on grammar, punctuation, and syntax, developmental editing is all about making sure the story itself works and makes sense on a fundamental level.

Developmental editing is an essential process for writers of every genre, whether you write fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, academic works, or anything else. This is because it gives you, the writer, critical feedback on whether your draft communicates the story or message you want it to. It is particularly valuable for early drafts because it gives the writer information on what works, what doesn’t, and how to make improvements to make sure that the final version will be reading-ready. 

Understanding Developmental Editing

Developmental editing isn’t about fixing small mistakes, it is a thorough examination of the work from multiple angles. During developmental editing, the following questions are often asked:

  • Is the story or argument coherent and organized?
  • Are the characters or concepts fully developed and believable? 
  • Does the plot or argument flow smoothly? 
  • Are there any pacing issues?
  • Are the themes or key messages clear and consistent? 

A developmental editor will work closely with the author to help mold the book into its best possible form. This stage of the editing process is full of large revisions that often include rewriting entire sections, reordering chapters, or even redoing entire character arcs and subplots. While the developmental editing can be intense and sometimes overwhelming, you will get a much stronger document once it is finished. 

Key Elements of Developmental Editing 

Developmental editing focuses on all of the following important components:

Structure

The structure of a book refers to how the book is organized. A developmental editor will look at your book’s structure and evaluate if it enhances or detracts from the main story. This includes looking at the order of chapters or sections to make sure that the book is laid out in a logical order.

For fiction, this could mean looking at the three-act structure or making sure that there is a clear beginning, middle, and end. For nonfiction, the editor will ensure that your argument or topic is logical and persuasive. If sections feel out of place or are not necessary to the overall story, a developmental editor may suggest that you reorganize or remove them from the book. 

Plot and Pacing

In fiction, the plot is one of the most important parts of the story. A developmental editor examines your plot to make sure that it is interesting and free of major inconsistencies. This includes checking for any plot holes, ensuring that the main conflict is compelling, and checking to be sure that all subplots are actually contributing to the overall story. 

Pacing is equally important. Does your story move too slowly, causing the reader to lose interest? Or does it rush through important scenes, leaving the reader confused? A developmental editor will examine whether your pacing is appropriate for the genre and story, suggesting where to slow down for things like character development or where to speed up for action and resolution. 

Character Development

Characters are the heart and soul of any story. Be it a novel, memoir, or even nonfiction, well-developed characters are essential to capturing and keeping a reader interested. A developmental editor will help you make sure that your characters are fully developed, consistent, and relatable. A developmental editor will often ask the following questions:

  • Do the characters feel real?
  • Are their motivations clear?
  • Do they undergo believable growth or change throughout the story?

Asking and answering these questions will deepen your character development and give your readers more of a chance to connect with the characters on an emotional level. If a character’s arc feels incomplete or inconsistent, the editor will suggest ways to refine it. 

Theme and Message

Every book has a theme or message for the readers. For fiction, the theme is often related to love, power, betrayal, freedom, or redemption. For nonfiction, the message could be centered around personal growth, practical knowledge, or social issues.

A developmental editor will ensure that the theme of your book is clear and consistent throughout the entire draft. They look for ways to clarify and strengthen the message. If the theme is muddled or unclear, the editor helps you sharpen your focus, making sure that your book leaves a lasting impact on its readers.

Voice and Style

Your voice and writing style as the author are extremely important to the reader’s experience. Voice reflects an author’s personality and perspective, while style is all about the tone, word choice, and sentence structure used to communicate the story or ideas. 

A developmental editor works with you to preserve your unique author voice while making sure that the style is appropriate for the book’s intended audience and genre. If the tone is shifting or inconsistent, or if certain stylistic choices detract from the story, an editor will give revisions to create a smoother reading experience. 

How the Developmental Editing Process Works

Developmental editing is a large process that typically unfolds in several stages:

Manuscript Evaluation

The first step a developmental editor takes is to read through your manuscript in its entirety. During this initial read-through, they take notes on the overall strengths, weaknesses, and lasting impressions that the draft gave them. The goal at this stage is to understand your book’s potential and identify any major issues that need to be fixed.

Feedback and Discussion

Once the editor has thoroughly reviewed your manuscript, they will provide detailed feedback. This feedback will often come in the form of a written editorial letter, which outlines the main problems with your draft along with suggestions for improvement. Additionally, the editor may leave comments within the document itself (if digital) or pen in comments (if physical), highlighting specific sections that require attention. 

This is where the author and the editor meet to discuss, either through email, in-person, or over-call, to clarify the feedback and ensure that both parties are on the same page about the revisions needed.

Revisions

The author then goes back into the draft and revises it based on the editor’s feedback. This stage can involve a lot of changes, such as:

  • Rewriting scenes
  • Changing the order of chapters
  • Adding new content like characters, plot, or themes

Additional Rounds of Editing

Developmental editing often takes many rounds. After you, the author, have made revisions, the editor reviews the manuscript again, offering further feedback to refine the changes. This process may repeat several times until the book reaches its full potential. 

Developmental editing is one of the most important steps in the writing process that helps author’s craft a polished, compelling book. By focusing on the big-picture pieces of structure, plot, pacing, character development, theme, and style, a developmental editor makes sure that a book will land with its intended audience.

Though the developmental editing process can be demanding, the collaboration between author and editor often leads to revisions and breakthroughs that an author may not have envisioned alone. Ultimately, developmental editing is an investment that makes a book memorable and impactful with readers.