Editing: first draft, second draft, third draft. . .Coming to the point of being ready to hire and editor is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of resources on the dear old internet today. There are different writing services for different things, and you might not be sure exactly where to start. Book editors like me do them both, some editors specialize, but the two we will talk about today are: Developmental Editing and Line Editing! I would say they are the most important, but people would probably disagree with me on that. Don't get me wrong, making sure your work is typo-free is very important. But developmental and line editing come down to two things: The story you are telling, and how you are telling it. Definitely important, but definitively different. So, what are they? Developmental EditingDevelopmental Editing focuses on how your story develops. That means that looking at your work through an editing lens, I would focus on issues surrounding character development, the movement of the plot, and other foundational aspects of your work that need revision. This is the kind of editing that sticks its hands all the way in. There is no simple fine-tuning or glossing over; this is the editing that makes sure your work is structurally sound before you pay anyone else to look over it. Some factors in the Developmental Editing process to consider.With editing work like this will come more work for the author as well. Whether you are developmentally editing your own work, or hire an editor to do it, here's what you can expect. 1. Rewriting. A lot. Of course as you iron out your story, you have to edit out the wrinkles. Sometimes the changes are minor. Sometimes, they are altering entire subplots or characters. Fun, right? 2. Patience. You're going to need a lot of this! Not just in the grueling effort that rewriting can be, but also the stress of excessively contemplating your story. Remain patient, and when you see it all fall together at the end, you will feel so much better. 3. Be Receptive. No one loves being told all of the things they did wrong when writing their novel. It doesn't have to be easy to hear, you just have to be willing to listen. Remaining open to change and new ideas is what will help your story become its fully formed self. Line EditingSo, if developmental editing covers everything structurally, what does line editing do? Line editing, sometimes interchanged for copyediting, focuses on how you tell your story. The tone, style, flow, syntax, etc is what a line editor is paying attention to when reviewing your work. That means making sure your tone is consistent throughout your work, better word choice and sentence structure, identify run-ons, and any notes to improve flow. This does not include reviewing your work for grammatical errors like a proofreader, but rather strengthening your use of language and skill of storytelling. In the end, how do they benefit you?Developmental editing helps you make sure your writing is focusing on the right things, and line editing helps you make sure your writing is conveying them the right way.
This is going to strengthen not just your story, but your voice as an author. So try not to be too intimidated by that first developmental edit, and don't underestimate the power of flow and storytelling. In the end, the reward will be well worth it.
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AuthorYour fellow writer, Isabella, started this blog with the intention of reaching writers like her and creating a platform to connect, share, and inform with those who posses the same love of fiction and romance. Categories
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