Editing a manuscript can feel like scaling a mountain—it’s intricate, overwhelming, and requires clear planning. While many writers focus on grammar and word choice, professional book editors understand that perfecting a manuscript involves looking at the bigger picture first. Here are the top three strategies book editors use to elevate stories into polished, impactful works of art.
1. Look at Structure First
When crafting a book, it’s easy to lose yourself in the minutiae—tweaking sentences, agonizing over word choice, or hunting for typos. While these details matter, experienced editors know that the foundation of a successful book is its structure.
A strong structure serves as the backbone of your story, ensuring your ideas flow logically and resonate emotionally with readers. Editors pull back from the finer details to analyze the big picture:
- Does the story flow coherently and satisfyingly?
- Are the major plot points effectively placed to sustain tension and interest?
- Do subplots complement the main narrative or distract from it?
By first evaluating how the pieces of a story fit together, editors can identify foundational issues. For example, they might pinpoint pacing problems, unnecessary detours, or missing connections that weaken the story’s impact. Writers often find that once the structure is strong, smaller edits naturally fall into place.
2. Ensure the Story and Character Arcs Align
Every great story follows an arc—a journey with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This arc represents the evolution of the story as well as its characters. Editors spend time evaluating whether these arcs are fully developed and interconnected.
At the core of every arc is transformation. The story begins with an ordinary world disrupted by change, propelling the characters into a series of challenges. Editors ask:
- Do the characters grow or change in meaningful ways?
- Are their decisions and actions aligned with their motivations?
- Does their development tie into the larger themes of the story?
For example, if your book has a hopeful ending, readers will expect characters to overcome their flaws, fears, or external obstacles. If your story is more tragic, the journey might instead explore how characters succumb to their limitations. Either way, the arc must feel authentic and emotionally satisfying.
A story’s themes should also evolve alongside its characters and plot. As editors trace these threads, they ensure the manuscript has depth, coherence, and emotional resonance. By aligning the arcs of characters and story, editors help create a narrative that leaves a lasting impression on readers.
3. Read the Manuscript and Take Notes Without Editing
One of the most crucial (and surprisingly difficult) steps in editing is resisting the urge to jump straight into fixing things. Professional editors often begin by reading the entire manuscript from start to finish, without making a single edit. This allows them to shift into “reader mode” and assess the story holistically.
While reading, editors take detailed notes on the following:
- Does the dialogue feel natural and purposeful?
- Are the characters’ actions believable and consistent?
- Does the pacing feel too slow, too fast, or just right?
This process ensures that the editor understands the story’s current state before making changes. After completing the initial read-through, editors step back to reflect on key questions about structure, arcs, and themes. They then create a revision plan to address the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses systematically.
For writers, adopting this method can help you approach your manuscript with fresh eyes and a clear strategy. Instead of diving into line edits or reworking scenes on a whim, you’ll have a roadmap for revisions that keeps your goals and the big picture in mind.
Bringing It All Together
Perfecting a manuscript is about more than polishing words—it’s about building a compelling, cohesive story that resonates with readers. By focusing on structure, aligning story and character arcs, and reading with purpose before editing, professional editors transform drafts into masterpieces.
Whether you’re working with an editor or tackling revisions on your own, adopting these strategies can help you approach your book with clarity and confidence. Start with the big picture, and watch your story take shape in ways that surprise and delight both you and your readers.
