Developmental editing is one of the most in-depth and hands-on stages of the editing process. It focuses on the big picture of your manuscript — the structure, content, pacing, and overall storytelling elements. Unlike line editing or proofreading, which address sentence-level or technical errors, developmental editing delves into how your manuscript works as a whole. It’s about shaping the narrative, refining the characters, and ensuring that your work holds together cohesively and flows smoothly from start to finish.
What is Developmental Editing?
Developmental editing, sometimes referred to as substantive editing, is the process of reviewing the core aspects of your manuscript. This means analysing the structure of the narrative, evaluating character development, assessing pacing, and examining how themes and subplots are developed. The goal of developmental editing is to make sure the overall story works, that it makes sense, and that it will engage your readers from beginning to end.
At this stage, an editor isn’t focused on grammar, punctuation, or spelling. Instead, they’re looking at the big picture, questioning whether the plot works, if the characters feel real, and if the pacing keeps the reader hooked. A developmental editor might suggest rewrites, recommend cuts, or help you rethink how a subplot unfolds. It’s the most collaborative and creative stage of editing, with an emphasis on honing the heart of your story.
Who Needs Developmental Editing?
Anyone who is working on a manuscript, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, can benefit from developmental editing. It’s particularly useful for first-time authors, as well as those who are writing in a new genre or tackling a large or complex story. Even experienced authors rely on developmental editors to provide an outside perspective and to help them craft a stronger, more cohesive manuscript.
Developmental editing is recommended for:
- Fiction writers looking to strengthen their plot, develop their characters more fully, or ensure their story has the right pacing.
- Non-fiction writers aiming to structure their work in a clear and logical way, ensuring the information flows smoothly and the argument is well-supported.
- Authors in need of direction if they’ve hit a stumbling block or feel that something isn’t quite right with their manuscript but can’t pinpoint what.
Key Focus Areas in Developmental Editing
A developmental editor provides feedback on several core aspects of your manuscript:
- Plot Structure and Pacing
One of the primary elements a developmental editor will focus on is your story’s structure. Is the plot coherent, engaging, and well-organised? Does the narrative move at the right pace, or are there slow, dragging sections or parts that feel rushed? The editor will suggest ways to tighten the pacing, refine the plot, and eliminate any unnecessary or repetitive scenes. For non-fiction, this might mean evaluating the order of information to ensure that it’s logical and flows well. - Character Development
Strong characters are the backbone of any compelling story. A developmental editor will assess whether your characters are well-rounded, believable, and properly motivated. Are their actions consistent with their personalities? Do they experience growth throughout the story? The editor will provide suggestions on how to make your characters more relatable, dynamic, and authentic. - Theme and Subplot
Whether you’re working on fiction or non-fiction, thematic elements are important. In fiction, this involves analysing how well the theme ties into the plot and character arcs. Are there subplots that strengthen the main narrative, or are they distracting? In non-fiction, this means making sure that any underlying themes or arguments are clear and well-supported throughout the manuscript. - Dialogue
Dialogue can make or break a story. A developmental editor will look at the dialogue to see if it feels natural and authentic, while also serving the narrative. Does the dialogue move the plot forward? Are the characters’ voices distinct and true to their personalities? For non-fiction, this could translate into assessing tone and voice consistency throughout the manuscript. - Consistency and Continuity
One of the key roles of a developmental editor is to ensure the story’s internal logic holds up. Are there plot holes, inconsistencies, or timeline errors? Do the character arcs follow through in a believable way? For non-fiction, this might mean checking for consistency in terminology, argument development, or how sources are referenced. - Reader Engagement
Ultimately, the developmental editor will assess whether the manuscript keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. Are there sections that might cause the reader to lose interest? Is the ending satisfying, or does it feel rushed? Developmental editors provide valuable insight into how the manuscript resonates on an emotional level and how to maintain reader interest.
The Developmental Editing Process
Developmental editing is a collaborative process that involves an in-depth review and feedback cycle. Here’s how it typically works:
- Manuscript Evaluation
The editor reads through the entire manuscript to get a full understanding of the story. They take note of major issues with plot, character development, pacing, and consistency. - Feedback and Suggestions
Once the initial review is complete, the editor provides detailed feedback. This could come in the form of an editorial report or comments within the manuscript itself. The feedback will highlight strengths, point out weaknesses, and provide actionable suggestions for improvement. These suggestions may include rewriting certain sections, removing or adding scenes, or reworking character arcs. - Collaboration with the Author
The developmental editor works closely with the author to discuss the feedback and ideas. This might involve several rounds of revisions, with the editor offering guidance and support as the author makes changes. This process is designed to help the author shape the story into its best possible form while maintaining the author’s unique voice and vision. - Revisions and Review
After receiving feedback, the author revises the manuscript accordingly. In some cases, the editor may review the revised manuscript to ensure that the changes have strengthened the story and resolved any earlier issues.
Common Challenges Addressed by Developmental Editing
Developmental editing is particularly useful for addressing the following common challenges:
- Weak or inconsistent character development: Characters that feel flat, underdeveloped, or whose actions don’t match their motivations.
- Pacing issues: A plot that moves too slowly, losing the reader’s interest, or too quickly, leaving important moments underdeveloped.
- Plot holes and inconsistencies: Gaps in the story’s logic, unresolved subplots, or events that contradict earlier scenes.
- Lack of clarity: Confusing scenes, unclear motivations, or disjointed narrative flow.
- Dialogue issues: Dialogue that feels unnatural or out of character, or fails to move the plot forward.
Why Invest in Developmental Editing?
Developmental editing is an investment in the success of your manuscript. For authors, it provides an outside perspective on the story’s strengths and weaknesses, offering expert guidance on how to make the narrative more compelling and cohesive. It can help transform a rough draft into a polished and engaging manuscript that stands out in a competitive market.
A strong story with well-developed characters, engaging pacing, and consistent themes will captivate readers and leave a lasting impression. By working with a developmental editor, authors can ensure that their manuscript meets these high standards, giving it the best possible chance of success, whether it’s being submitted to agents, publishers, or self-published.
In summary, developmental editing is about more than fixing errors; it’s about refining and shaping your manuscript into the best version of itself. It’s the crucial first step in the editorial process and can make all the difference in the journey from draft to publication
