What’s growth processing? The writer's information to growth modifying
You wrote a book. Congratulations! But wait . . . what now? What are you doing with your manuscript? How do you turn it into a rough draft into a book that can be published?
The next step is professional development processing. A development editor will help you turn your rough, unpolished ideas into an amazing second draft.
If you're new to the world of editing, the term "development editing" might sound a bit confusing. What is development processing? How does it differ from other types of editing such as line editing, copy editing, or proofreading?
And of course, how do you find a great development editor and how do you know it's the right editor for you?
Good news: you are in the right place. I'm a development editor, and in this article I'm going to break down everything you need to know about development editing so you can get your book the best it can.
What is development processing?
Development processing, also known as content processing, includes feedback on the overall picture of a novel, a non-fiction book or another piece of writing. A development editor criticizes structural elements such as plot, characters, theme and organization of ideas. Development work is usually done after the first or second draft of a book.
Development editing is a type of book editing that focuses on ideas, the substance of your story. It may also be listed as a "content edit" or a "content editor" depending on where you're looking.
A development editor will focus on:
- Your books genre. What kind of story are you writing? What elements do readers expect from this type of story? Are these elements present in an interesting and innovative way?
- Your books structure. Is there a beginning, a middle and an end? Does the story have all of the elements of storytelling, from a stimulating incident to a climax and a resolution? Have you clearly communicated your point of view for a nonfiction book and organized the ideas in a logical sequence from the beginning of the book to the end?
- Your books characters. Do you have too many or too few characters? What are your goals? Are you making interesting decisions to achieve these goals? Do these decisions show strong characterization and move the action forward?
- The subject of your book. What is this book really about? Why did you choose to write it and what makes it important to you? What should the readers take away from it? How can you make this topic more impactful and impactful throughout history?
- Your books position. What point of view do you use in your book? Is It An Effective Choice For Your Story? Is it consistent throughout the book?
- Expectations of your readers. Will your book please your readers? Will it get noticed on the shelves as a book that adds something new and exciting to its genre?
A development editor doesn't make changes to the words on the pages of your book. You will not rewrite any sentences or paragraphs.
Instead, they will give you holistic feedback on your entire book that will guide you through rewriting your next draft.
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Development editors do not make changes to the words on the pages of a book. They give you holistic feedback on your entire book.
They will tell you where the structure of your book is strong and where more work is needed. They also give you suggestions on how to think about these changes. It's up to you what specific changes you want to make to your story!
Are you looking for development editing? Our editors are experts in a wide variety of genres and will provide you with valuable feedback to take your writing to the next level. Take a look at the processing here »
What is development processing NOT?
"Edit" means a lot of things, and edit-in-development isn't the only option. Here are two more ways to edit, as well as two more ways to write and get feedback on your book. While these will also help you prepare your manuscript for publication, they are not development editing, and a development editor will not give you this type of feedback.
Sometimes you can find an editor that does both development editing and some other type of editing, such as: B. Line editing, copy editing or proofreading. However, these are separate skills. In general, you have to set up different editors for each type of editing.
1. It is NOT a line edit
A line editor edits lines, that is, your choice of words, the sentences, paragraphs and words on the page.
A line editor ensures that the words in each sentence convey your ideas most clearly. The goal is to make your writing as smooth and polished as possible while maintaining your unique writing voice. It's a tough line to go, but the best line editors will polish your writing while making sure it's always your writing, through and through.
The line editor uses suggestion mode, track changes, or some other tool to keep track of every change they make as they change the words on the page. You can then accept or reject any change.
Development editors don't care about wording and often don't use Track Changes to give you feedback.
2. It is NOT editing or proofreading copies
A copy editor doesn't focus on ideas or on rewriting lines. Instead, a copy editor corrects typos, including grammatical and punctuation errors. You can also review information such as names, dates, and key facts.
Like a line editor, a copy editor keeps track of changes in your manuscript, which you then accept or reject. Then they create a style sheet, a guide to all the style decisions you make in your book: Oxford comma or no Oxford comma? Color or color?
A copy editor also ensures that your texts are consistent so you don't even accidentally spell your character Aeryn's name as Eryn.
The role of a proofreader is similar to that of a copy editor. While editing of the copy occurs before the book is formatted for publication, proofreading is the final pass of the formatted book before it is delivered. A proofreader recognizes any final errors immediately prior to publication.
If your editor and book formatter did a great job, your proofreader's job is very easy!
Development editors don't worry about typos, punctuation, or grammar. In fact, they're used to getting messy first drafts. So don't worry if your manuscript is full of typos – I promise your development editor won't mind!
3. It is NOT a beta reading
Beta readers are not professional editors. Instead, they are regular readers, the kind of people you want to buy after your book is published.
Beta readers are volunteers who read your penultimate draft of your manuscript. They will tell you how your target audience might react to your book.
Beta readers are likely to give you solid feedback on whether they like the characters or whether the twists in the plot make sense. Also, some beta readers might pick up typos when they leave.
If you have an edited book that is about to be released, check out our Beta Readers Guide to learn how to find beta readers and get the best feedback from them.
Remember, however, that beta readers are not a substitute for professional editing.
While beta readers share their impressions of their favorite parts of your book with you, a professional development editor will do an in-depth analysis of your entire book and give you expert guidance on how to get it the best you can.
And while beta readers may notice some typos, an editor or proofreader will review your book word-for-word to make sure every single keystroke is correct.
4. It is NOT ghostwriting
A ghostwriter is hired to write a book for another person. Often times, the person has a great idea for a book and knows all of the content they want to include. However, you may not be a writer yourself, so you hire a skilled writer to turn your ideas into a publishable book.
Ghostwriting and development processing include a comprehensive overview of the organization and structure of a book. However, a development editor doesn't write your book for you, but rather gives you the feedback you need to do your rewriting yourself.
What types of writing need to be worked on in development?
The short answer is: All types of writing! Virtually any type of writing can benefit from development editing.
Are you looking for a more precise answer? Here are some types of writing that development editors often work with:
- Novels
- Short stories
- Short stories and novels
- Non-fiction
- items
In general, development editors focus on one or more types of writing, and often further specialize to focus on a handful of genres within that type. One development editor might work with space opera novels and another with instructions.
If you have a font to be published, there is a development editor for you.
When should you receive development work?
Development processing occurs early in your writing and editing process. I recommend hiring a development editor after your first or second draft of your book.
Your development editor will read your manuscript and give you high-level feedback on the shape of your story. It's best to do this before delving too deep into fine-tuning details like polishing your words, sentences, or grammar.
If you're writing your first book, I recommend doing a development edit according to the first draft. Your editor will give you valuable feedback on the structure, genre, and form of your book. Getting this feedback early will help you get the most out of your editing process.
If you are a seasoned writer who has written a lot of books, I recommend a development edit according to the first or second draft. You may already be familiar with some of the key changes you want to make between your first and second drafts. After you've done all you can with your story, your editor will help you take your book to the next level.
If you're working on your third draft or more and haven't received a development edit, I still recommend getting one! This is the most powerful type of editing you can get, and you will be surprised how much insight and history your editor can give you.
Most development edit packages require you to have a completed draft of your book. Sometimes development editors will also work with you to finalize a draft of your book. However, I recommend finishing your first draft before contacting the editors.
But wait, what if you're traditionally published?
All of the talk about hiring an editor might sound like it's only meant for self-publishing writers. If you're going the traditional route and are hoping to get published by one of the top five publishers, don't they have all of the editing you need?
Yes and no.
Publishers in the traditional publishing industry have robust editorial teams. We haven't even talked about acquisition editors, editorial assistants, publishers and more – all titles you will see in the big publishers.
When you are offered a publishing contract, you are connected to an acquisition editor to assist you throughout your book publishing journey. This definitely includes editing and proofreading copies (usually from an editor other than your acquisition editor).
It may contain some development edits. This feedback comes from your acquisitions editor or even your agent before you query your book with publishers.
However, keep in mind that at this point, the goal of every person you work with is to get a book out that will sell, and do so as soon as possible. You're not interested in going back and forth with lots of draft revisions. In fact, if they think your book will take up this level of work, they will likely deny your request.
It is best not to query agents and begin your traditional publishing journey until you are certain your book is ninety-nine percent ready for publication. That said, even if you plan on getting published traditionally, I highly recommend hiring an independent development editor to work with you early on.
Then when you need to ask questions, you know you have a book ready for publication!
What are typical development processing services?
We looked at what development edit is, how it compares to other types of edits, and when you should consider editing your book. But what does it mean in practice? What can you expect when you contact an editor for feedback on your book?
Here are two types of development edit packages you might find.
A manuscript review
A manuscript review, also known as a manuscript evaluation or manuscript diagnosis, is a one-time editing package in which your editor reads your entire book and gives you holistic feedback. Depending on the publisher, this feedback can take various forms:
- One or more calls. You and your editor will likely meet on the phone (or zoom in) one or more times during your development edit to discuss your goals for your book and your editor's recommendations. The development process is very collaborative and I strongly recommend that you make sure your editor provides this type of connection and discussion.
- An editorial letter. An editorial letter is exactly what it sounds like: a five to twenty-five page letter that explains your editor's recommendations for your book. The editor can send this for discussion before you call, or afterwards to bring together any changes you have decided on.
- A range of services. Some editors have specific results that they offer their editorial clients along with or in lieu of editorial writing. These results can analyze the book considering genre, subject, point of view, character development and much more.
- A scene list table. One type of result that an editor may offer is a table that you can use to track and analyze your scenes.
Such a manuscript review can take a few weeks to a few months.
Book coaching / ongoing development work
In this type of development processing package, your editor provides you with ongoing editorial support as you revise your manuscript. You will likely have weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly calls to your editor. During your calls, your editor will give you feedback on your writing and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and brainstorm ideas together.
Continuous processing in development is like an editor on the retainer. Your editor will assist you in writing and help you write your best book.
Depending on the editor you choose, your editor may recommend packages other than those listed above. However, these two types of packages are a great place to start when looking for feedback on your book.
Where can you find a development editor?
You know why you need a development editor and you know what to look for. How do you find the editor that suits you?
The good news is you don't have to live in New York to work with a great editor. Freelance development editors connect with writers around the world.
Here at The Write Practice we have a great team of development editors that we recommend to all of our writers. They are experts in a number of genres: fiction and non-fiction, short stories and epic novels, children's literature for young adults to adults, book literature and historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction, literary fiction and romance.
First, take a look at the machining packages offered here. (You will find that we offer both manuscript diagnosis and ongoing development processing!)
Then fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we'll connect you to a great editor for your book.
Meet your development editor
Get the development processing that suits you. Find out more about the machining packages we offer and meet your development editor.
Get Development Processing »
Okay, but do you REALLY need a development edit?
"All good writing is rewriting," they say. Your writing – especially your long-form writing like a novel or non-fiction book – isn't the best it can be until you get it through. And the most important type of editing you can give is development editing.
If you skip a copy or proofreading, you'll get Amazon reviews that read, "How did this book get past an editor?" or: “This author urgently needed to hire an editor. I could barely finish the book. "
However, if you skip a development edit, you may not get Amazon reviews because readers may be so frustrated or disinterested in issues in the story that they will drop them.
You worked so hard to write your book. Give it the care, attention, and investment it deserves and send it to a great development editor for feedback.
Your book and your readers will thank you!
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You worked hard on your book. You may now want to hire a development editor to give them the care, attention, and investment they need to make your book even better in the next draft.
Have you ever worked with a development editor? How was your experience Let us know in the comments!
WORK OUT
For today's exercise, practice thinking like a development editor.
First, find a scene you've already written or select a chapter from a book you've read. Don't have a book to hand? Use the Amazon Preview to read the first few pages of this book.
Next, answer the following questions about the scene:
- What is the genre of this story?
- What's the point of view of this scene?
- Who are the characters in this scene?
- What are your goals?
- As a reader, what are your expectations of this book, which is based solely on this scene?
Take fifteen minutes to read your scene and answer the questions. When you're done, share your analysis in the comments below, and don't forget to leave feedback for your note-takers!
Alice Sudlow
