There are two types of developmental edits: one on the full manuscript once you’ve written it and another that focuses on your story idea before you start writing it. Both of these edits have one goal in mind: to make sure your idea/concept is developed enough to make an engaging story. That sounds pretty vague, so let’s break down what that entails:
- Character development
Whether you’re writing a series or a standalone book, your characters should be fully fleshed out and primed to act in your story. You don’t have to write their entire (fictional) life story, but you need to know enough to make them come alive on the page. A developmental edit will help ensure your characters are realistic and make choices that make sense for both the story and their own arc. - Setting development
Even though your setting lives in the background, the choices you make regarding it should be intentional. Your setting needs to make sense and contribute to the story you’re telling. For instance, if your trope focuses on a small-town type of story, you need to write your scenes in a way that make it feel like a small town to your reader. A strong developmental edit can point out areas that need some work. - Plot
For a story to keep your readers interested, you need to build certain moments into your story. These are typically called plot points, and they often vary depending on your genre or subgenre. Some examples include the following: setup, inciting incident, midpoint turn, rising/falling action, resolution, etc. No matter what structure you base your story on, it should have those pivotal moments included. - Conflict
Though your everyday life might not have a lot of conflict typically, the same can not be said for fictional stories. There should be a constant push and pull that shows your protagonist going up against various obstacles. Otherwise, there would be no story to tell. - Story pacing
Without the right pacing in your story, you run the risk of losing your readers. This can often be managed by creating an outline beforehand and spacing out the important plot points for your genre. But don’t worry if you don’t typically create an outline. A great developmental edit can reverse engineer one to ensure your pacing is just right. - Point of view (POV)
Your choice of POV should be intentional, typically based on what readers enjoy the most. However, if your story is better told through a different POV—or multiple POVs—that’s something a developmental editor can help you figure out.
What You Get with a Developmental Edit
- Professional read of your manuscript
- Analysis, feedback, and improvements on various story elements
- Editorial comments throughout your manuscript to contribute to future revisions and your professional development
- Answers to your questions about any of the story elements
- Story blueprint that guides you through the revision process
- Recorded video walkthroughs at your request
- Overview of your next steps
Pricing for Developmental Editing
Project fees range between $300 and $5,000, depending on word count and how much work the manuscript needs.
To get started today, email us at tina@writethecrime.com or book a call with us.