What Developmental Editors Actually Do

Every writer reaches a stage where their plot spirals into chaos, their character arcs cease to make sense, and they are editing the same chapter for the fifth time. At this point, the white knight that comes to save the day is the developmental editor. 

You may or may not be familiar with developmental editors. Here is what we are, what we are not, what we can actually do for you - and the signs that you might need one. 

What Is A Developmental Editor, Anyways?

Imagine someone looking at your story through a macro lens - the plots, subplots, arc, and themes - someone who critiques your story based on what it is. Copywriters might tell you how you can rephrase a sentence, and proofreaders can guide you about the typos in your writing. Still, the one who helps you identify the pacing issues and plot holes is a developmental editor. 

The role of developmental editing in crafting compelling fiction is far too important to overlook. Developmental editors don't just rewrite your story; we tell you how to write it better. 

What People Think Developmental Editors Do (But We Don't)

One of the reason you're reading this might be because developmental editors are often misunderstood. If you imagine us as someone who will proofread and rewrite your story into a masterpiece, while also maintaining your original tone, let me explain. 

Here’s the truth: most developmental editors won't change a single line of your manuscript. What we will do is read your story and tell you what's wrong with it so that YOU can correct it. You can expect story structure analysis, character development feedback, and worldbuilding critique, but grammar and ghostwriting? That’s just not what we do.

At this point, you might  be thinking, “Are they going to tear my story apart?” Let me assure, that is not the case. Think of us as a creative and collaborative partner who helps you brainstorm. We understand your aspirations and your ideas. We identify where you are stuck and where your story is lacking, and help you get out of the writing pit you’ve fallen into. 

What Developmental Editors Actually Do

Developmental editing for fiction is not as plain as it may seem. Now that you know, developmental editors are least concerned with the grammar and semantic patterns, here is what we bring to the table. 

Identify Plot Holes And Pacing Issues

One of the biggest stressor for a writer? Plot holes and pacing. You might feel your plot isn't sitting right, or the pacing may be too slow or even too fast, at points. Maybe you are explaining your fantasy world to a point that even you are getting bored. Developmental editors will help you bring your scenes to life with sharper clarity and stronger structure. 

We catch the details that are easy to miss. Is one of your subplots redundant? Are some chapters too slow? Have you clearly established and resolved the central conflict? Developmental editors will highlight everything you’ve been overlooking. 

Critique Character Development

Writing compelling fantasy protagonists is a chore. It becomes even more difficult when you are working on multiple character arcs at once. Writing clichéd or flat characters is one of the top mistakes new fantasy writers make. Developmental editors will help you avoid that. 

Have you properly established your protagonists? Are the side characters fading into the background? Have you added too many POVs? Is the transition between POVs smooth? These are the questions that are difficult to answer on your own. It can only be understood when someone reads your story through a critical and keen lens -  developmental editors do just that. 

Ensure Coherence And Structure 

What a copywriter and proofreader never grasp is the coherence and structure of your story, and that is the main job of developmental editors. Does a scene contribute to the progress of a story? Would a particular scene be more impactful if moved to some other point in the story? Do the scenes, POVs, and overall story arcs flow smoothly? Developmental editors take care of all that. We also ensure you maintain a consistent tone throughout your story and help you rewrite your story in a way that literally makes more sense and resonates more deeply with the readers. 

Read Your Story As Your Readers Will

You spend a lot of time in your story. So, when rereading, you are naturally prone to bias and emotional attachment. But developmental editors? We come in with a fresh perspective, free of prejudice. We read your story as your future readers will (at least a good editor who enjoys the genre your writing in will). We ask questions that your readers might ask. "Why did she do that?" "Wasn't he just in another location - how did he go from one place to another in just one scene?" 

Developmental editors help you identify all the spots that don't fit or confuse your reader. So, you can make it perfect. 

Signs You Need A Developmental Editor

Are you at that phase in your writing, where you are wondering, “Do I need a developmental editor or a copy editor?" The answer isn’t straightforward, but here's what you can do to make a decision. 

Start with editing your story. Get a self-editing checklist and start ticking off the items. Once you are done with that, if you resonate with any of the following then it might be time to bring in a developmental editor. 

• Does the plot seem incoherent and flat at points?

• Do the characters not seem as well-established on paper as they did in your mind?

• Have beta readers pointed out something that doesn't make sense but seems too significant to overlook?

• Are multiple plotlines or POVs getting tangled?

• Do you revise, revise, and revise your manuscript without any progress?

• Are you too immersed in the story that you can't judge it objectively anymore?  

• If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need a developmental editor. 

Does Your Story Just Not Feel Good Enough - No Matter How Much You Tweak It?

Imagine doing a surgery blindfolded - that's how self-editing can feel for first-time authors. So, if you are stuck, that's only natural. 

The good news? Once Upon A Manuscript offers developmental editing for first time fantasy and romance authors. If self-editing has you running in circles, it’s high time we break the cycle. I'm here to help you unlock the true potential of your story. Let's bring your story to life.