Essential Types of Editing Every Novel Needs

Editing – the word can be a writer’s worst nightmare. But, there are essential types of editing that every novel needs.

A good editor shapes and refines our stories into their best possible form. In this post, I’m providing a breakdown of the essential types of editing every novel should undergo to ensure it’s polished and ready for publication:

Developmental editing

Developmental editing focuses on the big-picture elements of your novel. This stage addresses:

Plot and Structure – Ensuring the plot is coherent, engaging, and follows a logical progression. It also involves checking for plot holes or inconsistencies.

Character Development – Making sure characters are well-rounded, believable, and consistent throughout the story. This includes examining their motivations, arcs, and relationships.

Pacing – Pacing involves managing the rhythm and flow of the narrative to maintain reader engagement. The editor helps assess whether the story progresses at an appropriate pace.

Line editing

Line editing dives into the finer details of your prose. It involves:

• Language Use: Refining sentence structure and style to enhance clarity, readability, and impact.
• Tone and Voice: Ensuring the narrative voice is consistent and appropriate for the story and its genre.
• Dialogue: Checking dialogue for authenticity and relevance, ensuring it advances the plot and reveals character insights effectively.

Copy editing

Copy editing focuses on the technical aspects of writing, including:

Grammar and Syntax – Correcting errors in grammar, punctuation, and syntax.

Spelling and Language Consistency: Ensuring consistent spelling and usage of language throughout the manuscript.

Fact-Checking: Verifying factual information to maintain accuracy, especially in non-fiction or historically-based novels.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final stage before publication. Proofreaders look for errors – identifying and correcting any remaining typos, spelling mistakes, or minor errors; formatting – ensuring the manuscript follows publishing guidelines in terms of layout, font, and spacing; consistency check – verifying that all changes made during previous edits have been implemented consistently throughout the manuscript.

The first draft is black and white. Editing gives the story color. ~ Emma Hill

What is your experience?

Each of these types of editing plays a critical role in refining your novel and preparing it for publication. Have you ever hired an editor? What was your experience?

Some authors may hire professionals for each stage, others may choose to tackle multiple types of editing themselves. Regardless of the approach, thorough editing is essential to ensure your novel meets high standards of quality and resonates with your audience effectively.

By investing time and effort into these editing stages, you’re not just polishing your prose but also enhancing the overall reading experience of your novel.

Read A Guide to Setting SMART Goals for Writers, then follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with news about my book and any special offers! Be sure you grab your FREE 10-step checklist to plan your novel when you subscribe!

Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 37 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 27, 2024!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)