What’s a developmental edit? A developmental edit provides feedback on major issues that prevent the novel from providing the best reading experience.
A developmental edit begins with a manuscript critique: I write an editorital report about the big-picture issues that need some revision. The second step goes more in-depth with in-text comments and suggested revisions.
What’s covered? Issues such as:
plot and structure
head-hopping
point of view
narration
character development (arcs, motivation, and descriptions)
ineffective dialogue
info-dumping
showing and telling
setting and description
Here's what you get:
Two full read-throughs of your novel
In-text comments and edits with in the manuscript to illustrate potential changes
A 10–15 page evaluation of your book which includes: a chapter-by-chapter or scene-by-scene breakdown, suggestions to major big-picture issues, and feedback on what is working well
A work plan with steps to help you revise your current draft