Developmental Editing
Developmental editing helps you structure your narrative, refine your voice and clarify themes. I work with writers at all stages of the writing process. We can work chapter by chapter to generate a first draft, or after the initial draft is done to revise and fine-tune an existing manuscript. We pay attention to pacing and tone, as well as details of scene, character and point-of-view. Feedback is framed constructively and builds upon the core of a work’s strengths.
We also address:
- —Overall scope and movement
- —Text and subtext
- —Writer’s intent
- —Narrative style
- —Identification of audience
- —Publication and marketing
When I completed the first draft of my memoir, I turned to Connie for editorial help. Through her guidance, suggestions and questions, the story found its arc, the characters their lives, the plot its force. As a result of her prodding to dig deeper, not only did themes and layers of meaning appear, but the story found its very soul. She helped me turn the difficult and often baffling job of rewriting into a rewarding effort.
—Catherine Naylor
Author and Educator
When you write a book, you spend day after day scanning and identifying the trees. When you’re done, you have to step back and look at the forest.
—Stephen King