In this article we'll consider:
The 3 core stages of editing fiction
Why editing in order is a must
How many edits to have
To hire or not to hire a professional
With fiction editing terminology being so difficult to pin down, it's not surprising you may be unsure what each edit actually is, and what kind your manuscript needs when; let alone how many edits you should have and by what sort of editor? The potential for confusion and hair-pulling is huge.
But in actual fact, there are really only three core fiction editing stages, as outlined in the infographic below, along with the labels you may hear attached to them.
Right-click the image to save to your device, or scroll to the bottom of the article to download the PDF version.
Edit in order
It's imperative for your manuscript, your efficiency and your sanity, that these three stages are completed in order; the order I like to call Build, Sculpt and Polish. Otherwise you risk repeating work you've already done, and getting stuck on the editing merry-go-round (which is not as much fun as it sounds, but it will make you queasy).
For instance, there's little point putting time and effort into making your sentences shine and your dialogue deadly if you later find an error in the timeline or an issue with the plot that means whole sections need to be cut, rewritten or rearranged. Likewise, there's no need to fret over punctuation until your structural foundation is solid and your narrative is as effective as you can make it.
How many edits to have
This unfortunately is less cut and dry. If your manuscript goes to a professional editor, we might safely assume it will only need one developmental edit, and/or one copyedit, and certainly only one proofread.
However, after the first two stages (Build and Sculpt), you may make substantial changes based on the editor's feedback that you would then like re-edited. Or, if you're self-editing, you may very well go through the manuscript repeatedly, checking for something different each time. At which point, the more difficult question becomes when to stop editing.
Luckily, though, there's an article for that - see Self-Editing: Finding Balance (How to start editing and when to stop).
To hire or not to hire
Whether you choose to hire a professional editor, and at which stage of these three processes, ultimately comes down to: how much confidence you have in yourself as a writer and self-editor, as well as in the manuscript as a whole; the stage of your writing career; what your goals are for the book; and of course what your budget is.
Despite what may sometimes be implied in other well-meaning advice, there are no hard and fast rules to writing, editing and publishing. Rather, there are simply ideal scenarios.
For example, in an ideal world, you'd have an editor on hand to assist you through each of these three core editing stages, whilst in the meantime your cover designer is creating the cover of the century, and your promotional team are chomping at the bit for your book's release so they can get busy telling everyone about it...
But ideal is simply not always possible. Particularly when you're just starting out.
So if, for example, budget is a constraint, consider where you think you might need help the most.
It stands to reason that first-time novelists may require more support with the bigger-picture elements of the Build stage, and for this, something like a developmental edit or an assessment might help to guide you to a more robust manuscript.
Experienced writers are more likely to be satisfied with just the Sculpt and Polish stages - you're confident in the framework of your story, so you only want the narrative sharpened and the book looking like it's just come off the printing press at HarperCollins.
If you're Stephen King, however, by this point in your career a proofread will probably do you (because, let's face it, who's going to argue with the King?)!
Finally...
Don't let the editing terminology confuse what is essentially a straightforward process. If in doubt, chat with the editor about what's involved with the service they personally provide. Undoubtedly, no matter what name they put to it, it will fit somewhere in the three core stages of Build, Sculpt, and Polish.
Sign up to the Fiction Yogi monthly newsletter
For writing tips, exclusive Fiction Yogi offers, and updates on the latest writing, editing and publishing resources in the Hub, including handy downloadable PDF guides, checklists and cheat sheets, sign up to the monthly newsletter. No spam guaranteed. In addition, receive the free booklet, 6 Powerful Ways to Convey Character: A short guide to articulating depth, emotion and personality in your fiction.
Tina Williams of Fiction Yogi is a copyeditor and proofreader who works with writers at all stages, giving them the tools to improve their manuscript and level up their writing so they can meet their publishing goals.
Comments