Guide on Conducting Initial Developmental Revisions in Writing
In the world of writing, every author has their own unique approach to crafting a story. For one author, the journey to turning "Pearls" into their best work yet was a transformative experience.
The author found themselves proud of what they had created, but also faced challenges when it came to applying developmental edits. They felt like they were building a cathedral and then having to add a missing vestry, making it look like it was a part of the original structure.
However, the author persevered and discovered a method called the "Frankenstein" method. This process involves copying and pasting text from the original document into a new one, with revision notes in brackets, and then stitching the bracketed areas into the new document. This method allowed the author to protect the good parts of their work and gave them targeted places to change.
The "Frankenstein" method also reminded the author of their process, allowing them to write "ugly" first and then refine the work. Having a roadmap of where to go and what to do helped keep them organized and gave them a digestible, bird's eye view of the story.
The author identified the places it made sense to address the changes in the checklist document and added new check boxes for those changes. They researched extensively for methods of applying developmental edits from a writer's perspective and found only one helpful video.
In addition, the author asked a handful of people who raved about the initial drafts to review it again and let them know where they deviated from the original premise. Everyone who reviewed the work told the author that the changes enhanced the story.
The author learned that they could discern what their story needed and what it didn't, even throwing away a lot of advice. They ended up with a story that they feel is their best work to date. The author is open to trying new things when applying revisions and feels that they have a better idea of what their long term process could look like for future developmental edits.
Understanding developmental editing as a broad, big-picture revision process aimed at improving a manuscript’s structure, characters, pacing, and alignment with the target audience is crucial. A developmental editor's review and detailed editorial letter with recommendations on plot, character development, tone, style, pacing, and any potential issues like plot holes can provide invaluable guidance.
Writers can then apply these edits by carefully considering the editor’s suggestions, deciding which changes enhance their story while maintaining their voice and message. Practical methods include reviewing the editorial letter thoroughly, comparing direct edits in the manuscript, revising the story focusing on core elements like character arc, narrative structure, pacing, setting, and tone, using writing and editing software tools, and developing a story's elevator pitch, theme, and chapter outline.
In the end, the author's work process brought out the story as they had hoped, and they are proud of what they have achieved. The author's journey serves as an inspiration to other writers, showing that with determination, perseverance, and the right tools, even the most challenging revisions can lead to a polished, cohesive manuscript.
The author's experience in developing their story revolved around both education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as they learned new approaches to writing and refined their existing craft. By implementing the "Frankenstein" method, their learning process allowed for targeted changes that resulted in a transformed piece of work, contributing significantly to their personal growth and self-development.
As the author improved their writing through this journey, they gained a better understanding of the importance of education-and-self-development in the process of learning, and realized the potential for continued growth in their long term process of developmental edits.
