by Jenn Windrow

Developmental editing is one of the most important steps in your book’s journey to publication, and one that shouldn't be skipped. But many authors are unsure what to expect when they hire a developmental editor. What is an editor looking for when they open your manuscript and read that first sentence? What questions do they ask themselves about your MS to help you write the best book that you can? How deep are they going to go when scouring your words?

As a developmental editor for six years, I’ve read dozens of manuscripts, and almost every time, my clients are surprised by the things I find. Things they never noticed the gazillion times they read it before sending it to me. I always tell them that’s normal. It's easier to see the problem areas in someone else’s work than in your own.

That’s true for me as well. Just ask my critique partners.

To help you understand what I look for when I read a manuscript, I’m going to share with you the list of questions I always ask myself as I am editing a manuscript.

Let’s get started…

Story structure

Is the story’s structure clear and engaging?

When I edit, I ask myself whether the author followed the basic rules of structuring a novel. Sure, a novel’s structure can vary slightly depending on the genre, so there are exceptions, but most books follow the same structure. So, I ask myself, “Did they hit all their pinch points, plot points, and the mid-point reveal? Are the genre’s conventions being honored? If not, why, and does it still work?”.

Is the pacing effective and appropriate with buildup and resolution?

One of the comments I leave most frequently is, “Remove this section, it slows the pacing.” Usually, I note this in areas with a lot of internal thought in the middle of the action. But it can be anything that disrupts the flow of the story and makes the reader want to skim to get to the good parts. Most often, the section that slows the pacing needs to be cut, removed, or moved.

Plot

Is there conflict in every chapter?

This one is huge for me. Even a cozy book must have conflict. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have a story. Conflict is the driving force of a well-written novel, but I’ve edited plenty in which there are full chapters of characters sitting around and talking. Now, if they are laying out plans to rob a bank, then you’ve got conflict (or at least the start of it), but if they are sitting around and discussing the weather, and it is not integral to the plot, you don’t have conflict.

When it comes to plot, I like to remind my clients that every word, every sentence, every paragraph has one job: Move the plot forward.

Are there plot holes or inconsistencies?

As an editor, it is my job to ensure that the main plot, and especially the subplots, are all wrapped up and topped with a pretty bow by the end of the book so the reader doesn’t tumble into a plot hole.

I also make notes when something contradicts what was previously established in the plot. Even silly things, such as a character who was wearing a blue shirt two lines ago and is now wearing a green one. Those are all considered plot holes and inconsistencies, and when I edit, I am searching for all of it.

Characters

Are your characters believable and relatable?

To me, this means likable. Now, not all characters have to be likable. Not everyone you meet in the world is likable, but even if they aren’t likable, they have to be relatable. The reader must understand why they do what they do or what makes them a Grumpy Gus.

Do the characters have clear motivation and goals?

I think the main characters’ goal and motivation should be established in the first chapter (or close to it), and if you have a well-structured novel, it will be. If you do this well, then the reader can follow the character’s journey to the end, when they ultimately achieve their goal.

Dialogue

Does the dialogue sound natural?

When editing, I frequently encounter character dialogue that reads (or sounds) stilted or robotic, and I am sure you have come across it when you’re reading. This can be due to a lack of contractions or too many words used to express their thoughts. The best way to fix this problem is to read your book out loud. You’ll hear the cadence of the words and be able to detect and fix the problem in your MS.

Point of View

Is the point of view consistent?

One of the first things I identify is point of view (POV). Is the author writing in first person or third person? Past or present? Are there multiple character POVs, or only one? 

Once I’ve established this, I ask myself whether the author is consistent, or do they “head hop?” Head hopping is when the author slips into another character’s POV and back again (usually within the same paragraph/scene), or they allow a character to know information that hasn’t yet been revealed to them by another character. In the latter case, I’ll often leave the comment, “The character can’t know this.”

Head hopping is not only wrong, but it’s also jarring for the reader. A good editor will point out when you slip into a different POV.

And the biggest question I ask myself when I am editing a book…

Is the opening engaging and impactful?

IMO, an engaging opening drops the reader right into the action. It introduces the characters, their story world, and the journey they are about to embark on. It showcases your writing style. And above all else, it leaves the reader wanting more.

I could write three blog posts on this subject alone, but I am going to stop here.

I hope that seeing the questions I ask myself when I’m doing a developmental edit will help you during your own editing process. Maybe when you are plotting and planning, you can look at this list and answer these questions before you even start writing. Or while you are self-editing, you can keep this list next to you to make sure you have hit all the points. 

In the end, it will make your editor’s job easier when they begin work on your novel.

If you’ve worked with a developmental editor before, was there anything your editor did or said that surprised you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

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About Jenn

Jenn Windrow is an award-winning author of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. When she isn’t editing her own books, she spends her time helping other authors shape their characters and worlds into the best books they can be.

Jenn loves characters who have a pinch of spunk, a dash of attitude, and a large dollop of sex appeal. Top it all off with a huge heaping helping of snark, and you’ve got the ingredients for the kind of fast-paced stories she loves to read and write. Home is a suburb of it’s-so-hot-my-shoes-have-melted-to-the-pavement Phoenix, where she lives with her husband, two teenagers, and a slew of animals that seem to keep following her home. At least that’s what she claims.

Website: https://jennwindrow.com/