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Monday 31 July 2017

Key Qualities Of A Developmental Editor

By Edward Reynolds


Every piece of writing requires some form of support during or before it can be produced or published. This writing is what is referred to as developmental editing and the person behind it is the developmental editor. They perform a lot of duties that help ensure that the content in a manuscript is good; thus, ensuring the success of a book.

As earlier mentioned, the copy-reader performs a number of core tasks so as to ensure success, one of the roles being giving suggestions. They offer a number of suggestions that seem relevant in the context. These may include the goals of a book, story, character development, style, language just to mention a few. However, they do not perform spelling and grammar corrections. Theirs is to only show the mistakes made and leave it to the writer to make all the necessary changes. In some cases, they help coach writers step by step, though this is uncommon.

There are a number of qualities that good editors should possess. For one they have to be capable of making clear edits. This means that they should clearly highlight whatever they feel needs altering. The highlights should be written in such a way that they are visible. This way, the writer will be able to see clearly, understand and thus make all the required changes.

Secondly, they need to be problem solvers. Once the problem has been identified, they have to offer alternative solutions. Where mistakes have been made a clear way forward should be given so that the problem is addressed and the author is able to focus on other issues.

Creativity is part and parcel of each and every aspect of life. A good editor should possess a lot of it. They should have the ability of thinking beyond the reality of life and embrace impossibilities. They have to be able to visualize things from the perspective of an author and even beyond. This way, they will be able to come up with something creative that if incorporated to the original story-line could see the story becoming more captivating.

Another great quality that they need to possess is respect. They ought to be able to recognize and accept that the author has total control over what goes in and out of a book. They have to also consider the preferences in addition to respecting the views and decisions made by the author.

They should also be good instructors. They are tasked with the duty of helping a writer become better at delivering their work. They have to try as much as possible to steer this writer in the correct path by informing them what needs to be done. This way the author will avoid repeating similar mistakes in future. They have to also be able to provide market sense for the book. They need to know what the market demands are and advice the writers accordingly.

It is important to note that a writer is also encouraged to try as much as possible to work with the editor. They have to show respect as well and establish good communication with them. Apart from these, they ought to also be willing to compromise and accept corrections and changes.




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