Can you DIY your developmental edit?

Hiring an editor to complete a developmental edit of your novel can be expensive. If you can afford it, an effective editor will give you the outside perspective you need to take your manuscript to the next level. However, many emerging writers simply cannot afford the expense and do not have an established writing community to lean on. They may wonder if they can do a developmental edit of their own work. The answer is yes, you can do a developmental edit on your own novel, but it can be challenging to do so objectively.

When evaluating your work, it can be difficult to separate yourself from your own writing and see it objectively. You may overlook certain issues or be too close to the story to recognize where significant changes are needed to improve the story. This is one reason why I encourage writers to let a new draft simmer for a while before jumping into the evaluation stage of the novel writing process. That break from the work can help you return to the manuscript with the eyes of a reader rather than those of a writer. Details you never noticed before will suddenly begin to jump off the page at you. You’ll notice gaps that you would never have noticed otherwise.

So yes, it is possible to do a developmental edit on your own novel. If you do decide to try this method, here are some tips to help you approach the process:

1. Take a break before evaluating your draft. As previously mentioned, it is important to give yourself some time away from the manuscript so you can come back to it with fresh eyes.
2. Create a detailed outline of the plot and character arcs. This will help you identify areas where the story needs more development or where the pacing may be off.
3. Obtain outside feedback. Even when conducting a DIY developmental edit of your own work, it is still essential to obtain external feedback – such as from beta readers, writing groups, or smart friends who like to read – to help you identify areas that may need improvement.
4. Look for inconsistencies. These inconsistencies may exist in character behavior, plot holes, or other issues that may affect the believability of the overall story.
5. Be open to making significant changes. Be honest with your evaluation of your manuscript, even if it means cutting out large sections of your initial draft or rewriting certain scenes.

If you’re not sure you have the experience to do your own developmental edit, you might consider hiring a professional developmental editor to give you an objective perspective on your work and help you identify areas that may need improvement — if you can afford it. Remember, a developmental edit is a crucial step in the writing process, and it’s important to take the time and care necessary to ensure you’re giving your novel draft your best effort. Ultimately, the decision of whether to get a developmental edit – either during the evaluation stage of the writing process or before submitting to a traditional publisher – is a personal one. There are both pros and cons to consider, and the best decision for you will depend on your individual circumstances.

Contact me today to inquire about hiring me to provide a developmental edit of your novel draft!

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Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.