Every type of editing has its place in the role of refining writing.  One of the services that I offer is developmental editing.  If you’ve ever wondered (like me) what the difference is between that type of editing and the more common types of editing, let’s dive in!

What is developmental editing?

First off, let’s get to the bottom of the terminology.  What’s the difference between developmental editing and structural editing?  These two terms are more or less the same in my services, but there are some differences to understand.  In essence, it’s macro vs micro!  Here’s what you should know:

• Structural editing: Think of this as your macro.  This editing stage involves looking at the different chunks of the plot and determining if they’re in the right order.  For example, Chapter 12 might actually be better if it happened before Chapter 8.  Or, Plot Arc 1 should happen before Chapter 4 instead of later.  A structural edit involves moving large chunks of the book around so that they are in the most logical order.  This requires at least 2 read-throughs to do effectively!

• Developmental editing: As you can guess, this would be the micro part.  This stage of editing is still focused on the big stuff, but it would be within the chunks mentioned above.  Is the character arc of your protagonist logical?  Are there parts that interrupt that arc?  Does the relationship growth between Characters A and B track properly throughout the chapters?  Is there a partial plot hole forming in Chapter 22?  This process is more detailed, as you can guess, so it will often take 2 or 3 read-throughs.

If you’re feeling as though these are sorta-kinda the same, you are not alone!  Most services offer both in the same editing job because they often go hand-in-hand!

What are the main focuses of structural and developmental editing?

Examples aside, what is structural editing in writing?  When I work on a developmental editing gig, these are the areas that I focus on for the best overall experience for my client:

• Plot matching: This involves reading each chapter and ensuring it matches the original plot.  While there are bound to be some differences, a big part of structural editing is ensuring that the plot plan and the manuscript match!

• Flow and pacing: This focus area is more about how the piece feels as you read it.  Are some parts too slow or too fast?  Are certain parts in the wrong order?  Is there any part that’s awkward and interrupts the reading experience?

• Character and plot arcs: This is pretty much the same as above, but specifically for character arcs and plot arcs.  This is often a really fun part of the process for those who love fiction!

• Plot holes: Big or small, complex or simple, plot hole detection is critical when a writer wants to move their draft into the next stage.

So, what do you all think?  Is developmental editing what you thought it would be?  Do you feel it should be marketed differently? Let me know by sharing a comment below!