A poorly written story or a novel with gaps in plot structure or characters that act incongruent to the personality established at the outset of the work are like a movie that appears fuzzy on the screen, out of view and unfocused.
Developmental editors like Linda Beed can spot these malfunctions in story and suggest ways the writer can remedy the problem.
No writer regrets the time devoted to revisiting her or his character analyses, or plot summaries to fill in the gaps of story line or make the character’s actions and dialogue ring more in keeping with an authentic human individual than a name of someone who lies flat on the page and acts in a manner that befuddles the reader such that they lay the book down caring less what happens to the protagonist.
Once those changes are made, the writer then needs a copy editor such as Lynel Johnson Washington. A copy editor makes an overall check for spelling, phrasing and grammatical errors.
And while copy editors don’t make developmental and large content alterations, most can tell when a manuscript requires this kind of work and can offer names of those a writer can consult.
Copy editors are at the best when reading for the little mistakes that can lead to big problems. Much like a film editor, copy editors highlight the errors that distract a reader oftentimes destroying their reading pleasure.
Trying to read a novel riddled with typos and awkwardly configured sentences and paragraphs that jump from topic to topic leave the reader feeling like a moviegoer watching a movie where the thread of film keeps stopping due to mechanical errors.
Consumers leave the theater and demand a refund when that occurs. And while purchasers of books can’t get their money back, they can warn others to steer clear of and not purchase your work.
A good developmental editor identifies these breaks in story and suggests ways to close the tear, after which the copy editor checks for smoothness in finish and suggest what can add glow.
A good editor offers a second pair of eyes that assist the willing writer in making changes that enhance the rendering of her or his story.
Those suggestions benefit the writer and her or his hopeful reader if the writer implements those changes.
Are you aware of the different kind of editors available to writers and authors?
What kind of editors have your worked with?
How open or flexible are you to making changes in your work suggested by editors?
I have worked with developmental and copy editors, also proofreaders. Most copy editors are able to offer proofreading services too.
You are so correct. Thanks so much for this important piece of information.