In developmental editing the editor asks the essential question: Is the story strong and meaningful at its heart?

Developmental editing is the big picture approach that shapes your story’s substance and refines the core ideas. It asks the essential question: Is the story strong and meaningful at its heart?

My process involves working with a completed manuscript and responding directly to what is already on the page. The focus is on content and meaning: the ideas, narrative, voice and emotional depth.

My feedback highlights substantive changes, such as what to add, expand or cut, and may require significant rewriting.

Developmental Editing typically addresses:

• Theme and message development – clarifying the central theme to ensure emotional depth, consistency and resonance throughout the manuscript 
• Concept and premise – strengthening the core premise so it is able to carry the full weight of the narrative
• Genre alignment – ensuring emotional and tonal alignment with genre expectations
• Narrative coherence – supporting the internal logic and flow of the story, identifying any confusing or underdeveloped narrative threads 
• Character development and consistency – deepening psychological depth, motivations, emotional engagement, transformation and behavioural uniformity across the arc 
• Voice and tone – refining the voice for consistency and aligning the tone with your intention and the reader’s emotional journey
• Reader engagement – shaping narrative momentum and pacing to influence emotional investment and keep the reader engaged through the entire book

In structural editing the editor asks the question: Is everything in the right place and is it working together?

Structural editing is the big picture approach that concentrates on how your manuscript is organised: chapter structure, scene arrangement, pacing, coherence and logical flow. It asks the question: Is everything in the right place and is it working together?

My role is to strengthen the overall framework of your manuscript, ensuring every plot contributes to the bigger picture and each scene advances the story. I help identify gaps or inconsistencies in structure, refine chapter organisation and add fluidity to transitions between scenes.

Structural Editing typically addresses:

• Plot and story arc – shaping the overall narrative structure, evaluating how subplots contribute (or distract from) the core story
• Manuscript cohesion – refining narrative symmetry, balancing tension and resolution, strengthening the sequence and connection between chapters
• Pacing and flow – analysing how the story unfolds across the scenes and chapters, clarifying whether slower sections serve their purpose and smoothing transitions
• Scene breakdown – refining scenes to ensure their purpose, avoid repetition, balance the intensity and evaluate whether they contribute to plot development
• Character development and consistency – ensuring that characters appear where needed to serve the plot and that their development aligns logically with narrative framework

Would you like to develop self-editing skills and keep full creative control of your story?

You have completed the story, but now the prospect of editing feels overwhelming. You know your manuscript needs refinement, yet you may be uncertain where to begin. Perhaps you wish to revise it yourself to reduce editing costs, or maybe you are not yet ready to hand it over. 

The One-to-One Self-Editing Sessions guide you through that process.

They provide a supportive way forward. Rather than passing your manuscript directly to an editor, we work through it together.

I bring editorial insight, structural clarity and empathetic guidance. You bring the draft. Together, we refine your story while building the skills you need to approach future edits with confidence. These sessions help you learn how to think like an editor. Along the way, you improve your own writing craft. 

Even if you plan to hire an editor later, polishing your work first saves time, reduces cost and allows your editor to focus on deeper refinements. The more polished the draft, the stronger and more cohesive the final version will be.

Smarter outline sets the stage for more confident and articulate writing.

Planning your novel or nonfiction book? Before you begin drafting chapters, it is essential to establish a solid story structure, a compelling concept, and a plot with pacing and emotional complexity to keep readers engaged. 

Story Outline Assessment offers professional feedback on your story’s foundation so you draft with confidence and reduce the risk of costly rewrites later.  

The Story Outline evaluation includes a personalised editorial letter with feedback on:

• Story concept, roadmap and premise – is the core idea compelling and clearly defined?
• Character journey – does the character arc support the narrative?
• Turning points and stakes – are the challenges strong enough to drive the plot?
• Logical progression – does the plot follow an engaging arc?

This assessment is ideal during early planning or pre-drafting stages. It suits writers outlining a new project or working with a plot-first or structure-first approach who want guidance before moving forward.

Because how you begin matters – focused editorial review to ensure your opening pages do their best work

A strong opening chapter sets the tone for the rest of your book. An effective beginning combines a powerful hook with characters who intrigue and stakes that signal what is at risk, creating momentum that carries the reader forward. 

You will receive tailored feedback that highlights the strengths of your opening chapter, identifies areas that could be refined, and offers practical suggestions to help you shape a chapter that draws readers from the very first line.

First Chapter Assessment includes a personalised editorial letter with feedback on:

• Opening hook – does the first page capture attention? 
• Tone and voice – is the narrative style engaging and consistent? 
• Character introduction – are the main characters compelling from the start? 
• Clarity and flow – does the chapter read smoothly? 
• Pacing and structure – does the chapter move at the right speed for your genre? 
• Genre and audience fit – does it set the right expectations for your readers? 

This assessment is ideal for writers who do not need a full edit but want to ensure the opening instantly captures the reader’s attention. 

A considered evaluation to help you see your manuscript more clearly.

A concise editorial overview that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of your draft without the full editorial deep-dive. The evaluation centres on the core elements of your story, offering guidance on where your writing is strongest and where revisions could bring greater clarity and impact.

Light Editorial Assessment includes a personalised editorial letter with feedback on:

• Opening and hook –  does the beginning capture attention?
• Concept and premise – is the story engaging and clear?
• Characters – are your main characters believable and compelling?
• Tone and voice – is your narrative style consistent throughout the story?
• Structure and flow – does the story read smoothly?
• Genre and audience fit – does it establish the right expectations?

Light Editorial Assessment is well suited to early drafts and to writers who wish to understand what is already effective in their story and what may need improvement before moving into more detailed editing. It also serves indie writers who prefer a broad overview of their writing without committing to the intensity of a full edit.