Purposeful Prose Advice Column: Juggling My Edits

Dear Purposeful Prose,

I’ve been self-editing my finished novel. At this stage, I’m taking some time away from the book so I can look at it again with fresh eyes. Lately, I’ve been thinking about asking a professional editor to look at my work, and I was wondering what type of edit you think I should go for. Is it too late to ask for a developmental edit? Would it be better for me to get a line edit? 

First of all, congratulations on finishing your novel! The way I like to answer this question is that issues having to do with consistency of story and character, development of story, pacing, will not necessarily go unnoticed with one type of edit over another. By the same token, issues having to do with language and style don’t go unnoticed with one type of edit over another.

Editors tackle developmental edits in different ways. Usually, the difference lies in the formatting through which you receive feedback. I usually use a chart. Other editors use letters or comment directly in the document. The rigor of a developmental edit is not different from any other type of edit. Your editor will not view your book in the same way that you will, and will have different observations on the realism, character arcs, dialogue, pacing, and continuity of the story than you will. It is up to the editor to take those observations and turn them into something that you can work with as an author. 

Nick Ripatrazone had this to say about line editing, and I found it to be very resonant: 

“Line suggests a sense both mercurial and typographic. A line is poetic and literal; where the hope of intention meets the reality of the page. Line editing is the ultimate union of writer and editor; the line-edit means we cede control, and the pen, to someone else.” 

This is not to say that a trusting relationship is unnecessary when working with a developmental editor. When we ask about “lines” in a literary work, the discourse often centers poetry. Often, poetry is clearly separated into lines and stanzas. It’s easy to think of poetry in that way. Line editors do go line by line, carefully dissecting the language in conversation with rather than at odds with the author. While Ripatrazone has a point about “ceding control” because of how feedback for a line edit often appears, the author has the final say. An editor can help you make key decisions regarding your novel. They cannot make those choices for you. 

There is no wrong time to take that [or any] kind of feedback into account for the betterment of your novel unless you have a concrete deadline. If you speak with an editor who knows their stuff beforehand and get a sample from them, they’ll probably be able to tell you what type of edit you might need at that time. 

This in mind, what I would discourage is thinking of developmental editing as solely focused on the big picture, and a line edit as solely focused on nitty gritty details. I often say that every word matters, and I mean it. A line edit can point to a lack of continuity or dialogue that doesn’t sound as though it fits. A developmental edit can point to stylistic elements that aren’t serving your writing. More simply, if you’re working with an editor who fits you and your work, you can expect to have feedback you can use at any and all levels. 

I do commend your open-mindedness to feedback on your writing, especially critical feedback. That said, even the most open-minded of authors might feel nervous about handing their manuscript over to an editor or reader. It’s possible that an editor might feel as though a scene that you loved is either distracting or unnecessary. They might suggest more drastic changes to your work that you feel to be too much. Before you dismiss your editor, always consider the power of “Why?” Understand why your editor is making the suggestion they’re making and why they feel as though their suggestion will ultimately be to your benefit. A good editor will uphold your voice and intentions first and foremost, and if you’re paying them, make sure you’re considering all they have to offer.

If you have a writing or editing-focused question, I would be more than happy to dedicate a post to you. Contact us with any questions you might have or to schedule a free consultation with yours truly!

All submissions will remain anonymous unless you explicitly request for me to include your name.