My Developmental Editing Journey
When I first hit “The End” on my manuscript, I didn’t leap for joy or collapse in panic. Instead, I felt…weird. Proud in theory, but conflicted in practice. On one hand, I knew I should feel proud. Finishing a draft is no small feat. But on the other, I was uncomfortable, wondering, “Now what?” I even felt a little sad to step away from Paige, Lupita, Jenson…all of them. And honestly, a mix of excitement and dread about sharing their story with anyone else. Haha, see? Totally conflicted!
Someone suggested I start talking about it—marketing early, sharing the journey—because one of the hardest parts of being a writer is putting your work out there when nobody knows it exists yet. I’m hoping to find my people early, so when the book is finally ready, they’ll be right here, excited to read it!
That said, I wasn’t sure what came next. I looked up “what to do after finishing a first draft,” and even emailed a few editors for their take. Their unanimous recommendation? Developmental editing: the big-picture overhaul that shapes structure, pacing, and character arcs before diving into line edits or proofreading. So that’s where I headed first.
What Is Developmental Editing, Really?
Developmental editing isn’t about commas or consistency of character voices. It’s the phase where I press “zoom out” on my novel to ask the hard questions:
Does every scene pull its weight?
Are my characters’ arcs clear and emotionally resonant?
Is the pacing energized, or dragging?
If a subplot isn’t reinforcing my “found family” heart, it gets reshaped or cut. If a scene drags, I tighten or repurpose it. Every decision in this stage makes the foundation stronger for the polish to come.
My Spreadsheet Approach
I track every scene in Google Sheets using five key columns:
Word Count by scene: I spot scenes that feel bloated or too skimpy.
Main Character Plot: I note how each scene advances Paige’s core journey.
“Motion” Scenes: I flag action beats, anything that physically pushes the plot forward.
“Emotion” Scenes: I highlight internal or relational moments that deepen character and theme.
B-Plot: I track secondary arcs, like Jenson and Laney’s budding relationship or Alonzo’s Chicago dreams, to ensure they weave through the narrative.
When I see a scene with a high word count but minimal motion or emotion, I know it needs tightening. If too many chapters lack B-plot entries, I look for places to weave in those minor storylines.
Key Goals
Deepen Emotional Resonance
I want every major emotional moment to land authentically. That means double‑checking that the stakes are clear, the character reactions feel earned, and the emotional beats build naturally one to the next.Maintain Narrative Momentum
It’s easy for pacing to stall if too many scenes settle into exposition. Before line edits, I’ll ensure each chapter contains a balance of action and reflection so readers stay invested without feeling lost.Balance Motion and Emotion
Using my spreadsheet, I’ll verify that every chapter offers both plot progression (motion) and character insight (emotion). If one outweighs the other for too long, I’ll rework scenes to restore the ideal rhythm.Check Secondary Arcs’ Consistency
Side stories of certain characters should weave through the manuscript without overshadowing the main plot. I’ll ensure each B‑plot entry surfaces at the right moments to support, not spoil, the primary storyline.
Trusting the Process
Developmental editing is now in full swing! It’s a process of trust… trusting your instincts when you know a scene “feels off,” and trusting your beta readers (more on that coming soon!) to shine a light on blind spots. Once I emerge on the other side, it’ll be time for line edits: that satisfying phase where I polish dialogue and smooth out the narration.
Thank you for following along as I take you behind the curtain. If you’ve ever tackled a massive developmental edit (or are just gearing up to), I’d love to hear your tips and experiences!
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”
