By: Roxy Gatchell
“Ouch”: something you never want an author to say when receiving criticism about their work. Writing is deeply personal to its creator and may be the source of sensitivity when undergoing criticism. When one pours their dedication into creating their brainchild, it is possible that editing may cross the threshold between constructive and controlling. So, as developmental editors, how do we feel more comfortable in evaluating another’s work and avoid overstepping? In this article, we will review a series of questions and prompts to answer when you’ve found yourself stuck or hesitant to continue the developmental editing process.
How Much Editing is Too Much?
“Too much” is subjective – thirty minor suggestions can be just as impactful as two drastic ones. Ultimately, a developmental editor’s job is to review the text and provide helpful prompts regardless of how much advice is given. These changes made by an author or editor can slightly alter a work, as is the case with many poetry anthologies, or improve the work to an unrecognizable level, reflected in lengthy novels.
A novel’s hundreds of edits are worthwhile when they reflect your client’s voice and artistic flare. The developmental editing process’s goal should be to improve the work while maintaining the author’s style. If your suggestions mold the story to sound as if you wrote it instead of the original creator, then it is time to reevaluate your edits.
How do I Consider the Author’s Response?
It is common to reflect on how your criticism may impact the author’s emotions. To manage feelings of infringing on an artist’s creative liberty, it is important to frame a developmental editing letter in a constructive way. Listing the work’s positive qualities alongside suggestions, ending the editorial letter on an encouraging note, and including straightforward line comments that exhibit a helpful tone rather than a judgmental one work to achieve this. These actions contribute towards an overall professional atmosphere between yourself and your client.
What are Some Prompts to Begin the Editing Process?
When you don’t know where to begin editing, you can start by jotting down line comments on your first read-through to record your first impression of the client’s work. Then, read the work again and review its plot. Determine if there are any plot holes and if the characterization and setting are thoroughly explained. Do characters need to be further developed? Are vague plot points purposeful or in need of reconstruction? Did the last editor miss any grammar mistakes? Lastly, consider how the work makes you feel on an editing level – you don’t have to agree with the actions of the characters or plot, but is the entire work easy to read? These questions and prompts will help guide you throughout your developmental editing journey and prevent feelings of hesitancy as you pick up your pen or open your computer.