Guide to Editing (AKA what the heck do all these terms mean)
Congratulations! You finished your book.
You typed “The End” with a triumphant flourish, closed your laptop, and engaged in particularly enthusiastic happy dance around the room. But wait! As the euphoria fades, a new challenge looms: editing. Your manuscript needs some finishing touches before its ready for readers. Don’t worry, though—editing is where the real magic happens. Let’s dive into the different types of editing that will transform your draft into a finished product.
Editing can feel overwhelming, especially for new writers, but understanding the different types can make the process much more manageable. There are four main types of editing: developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Each type serves a unique purpose in refining your manuscript. Whether you’re strengthening the plot, polishing your prose, correcting grammar, or catching pesky typos, editing is a vital part of bringing your story to life. Let’s explore these editing stages in a fun and approachable way, so you can confidently take the next steps in your writing journey.
Types of Editing:
Developmental Editing
• Definition: Developmental editing is a comprehensive evaluation of your manuscript. It examines the overall structure, plot, character arcs, setting, and point of view to enhance your story and strengthen the foundation you’ve built.
• Why It’s Important: A developmental edit ensures all story elements fit together seamlessly. It catches runaway subplots, purposeless characters, and loose ends. Often they provide resources inside the editorial letter aimed to improve your storytelling— not just in this draft, but to help you write future ones.
A good Developmental Editor is friendly, approachable and collaborative. They should be able to justify their reason for each of their suggestions and work with you to find solutions that work for you.
Line Editing
• Definition: Line editing focuses on the craft of writing at the sentence and paragraph level. It enhances the flow, voice, and style of your manuscript, ensuring each line is clear and engaging.
• Why It’s Important: Line editing polishes your prose, making your narrative more compelling and enjoyable. It corrects awkward phrasing, improves sentence structure, and ensures your voice is consistent throughout the manuscript.
A skilled line editor is meticulous, creative, and supportive, helping you elevate your writing while preserving your unique voice. Think of them as your writing’s personal stylist.
Copy Editing
• Definition: Copyediting is a detailed review of your manuscript’s grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax. It ensures technical accuracy and consistency.
• Why It’s Important: Copyediting catches errors and inconsistencies that can distract readers and undermine your credibility. It ensures your manuscript is polished and professional, ready for publication or submission.
A good copyeditor is detail-oriented, knowledgeable about language rules, and thorough, providing a meticulous cleanup of your manuscript. They’re the grammar geeks who love to nitpick—so you don’t have to.
Proofreading
• Definition: Proofreading is the final review of your manuscript, focusing on catching any remaining typos, formatting issues, or minor errors that may have been missed in previous edits.
• Why It’s Important: Proofreading ensures your manuscript is error-free and professionally presented, giving it the best chance to impress readers and publishers.
An excellent proofreader is patient, eagle-eyed, and methodical, providing a polished, final touch to your work. They’re the unsung heroes who make sure you don’t submit with “desert” instead of “dessert.”
It’s recommended that you approach your editing from biggest to smallest—or the order listed here, starting with a Developmental Edit and ending with proofreading. Some editors offer discount packages to group together different types of editing for a discounted price.
There you have it, folks! Editing may seem like a daunting task, but it is through this gauntlet that manuscripts become books. Happy writing!
