Developmental editing, or content editing, is the first stage of the editing process, offering the broadest, “big-picture” assessment of your completed work. Unlike the later steps of copyediting and proofreading, it’s a collaborative process, and may involve multiple rounds of strengths-based feedback and revisions. For fiction, a developmental edit involves an overview of: plot (holes); characterizations; pacing; overall structure; setting; and lastly, themes and general psychic landscape.

For nonfiction this overview looks a little different, additionally examining the thesis, content, and tone of the work. A poetry assessment similarly examines the arc and energy of the whole while also focusing on the order of poems and overall unity of the collection—visually, texturally, form-wise, etc.

Although developmental editing traditionally comes after a work or collection is complete, it can also be sought even earlier on in your process and overlap with coaching support.

Copyediting is a step closer to publication: it’s a “heavier pass” of your work than proofreading, and so includes the basics of proofreading plus additional editing and support. When copyediting your piece I will:

• correct faulty spelling, grammar, and punctuation

• suggest ways to reword/reorganize awkward or confusing sentences

• flag redundancies, jargon, and overly ornate prose (also known as “purple prose”); offer alternative wording

• note areas that are unclear or break the arc of the piece

• ensure consistency in spelling, names, capitalization, numbers, hyphenation, citations

Most importantly, I hold that whatever piece of yours I work with remains your piece; your voice is where the piece begins and ends. Any comments I might make to strengthen, clarify, or smooth something out are offered as suggestions—my motto is: take whatever feels helpful and leave the rest. Your work is yours.

Proofreading comes right before publication when the arc, logic, and voice of your piece are established and consistent; it’s the final polish/read-through of your work. Given that, I’ll work under the assumption that line edits aren’t necessary (although I’ll of course flag any questions and anomalies as they arise). When I proofread your piece I’ll focus on finding:

• typos—especially ones that evade spellcheck, like “you’re” and “your”

• misplaced punctuation

• redundancies—i.e. two of the same words accidentally next to each other (“the the”); a repeatedly used adjective; phrases like “very unique,” “exhaled out,” etc.

• errors in usage—like the dreaded “who” and “whom”

• inconsistencies of any kind—both verbal and mechanical (like appropriately matching the table of contents to chapter or section titles)

… and more.

Coaching can happen at any stage of your process. Like most things that offer freedom and joy, the day-in, day-out work of writing is haunting: writing blocks can stretch for weeks; ideas can thin or arrive in a torrent; there might be a character or poem that feels elusive, unknowable. Writing can also be a traditionally lonely endeavor, beset with doubt, insecurity, and loss of focus (to name a few!). But it doesn’t have to be: working with a writing coach means working with someone who understands your work, your struggles, and your vision, and who’s there to navigate the adventure alongside you.

If at any point you’re in a stalemate with your work or feeling sidetracked, or are overwhelmed with how to even begin, I can offer:

• accountability and project milestones

• tailored writing exercises, prompts, and homework

• developmental editing of your WIP

• guidance for addressing writing blocks and other common challenges

• a healthy/sliding scale dose of cheerleading

I’ll be here to meet you wherever you’re at and offer strengths-based feedback and gentle, no-bullshit support as you birth your work; the world is waiting!