Why editing with excellence matters

Let's talk about developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading

In January of 2020, before we even knew the world would be shutting down due to a global pandemic, two of my friends, Sue Mohr and DeAnn Starling, and I decided to write a book about hope.

Little did we know people would need an extra dose of hope in the coming months. We spent all of 2020 writing the devotional Hope is . . ., and we felt relieved once we finished writing the manuscript. Little did we know, the most time-consuming part—the hardest part—was still ahead of us: the editing.

We spent nearly a year editing. We carefully reviewed every word, every sentence, every paragraph, and every chapter. We checked spelling, punctuation, and grammar. We also read it out loud as a group to make sure it made sense, and during one of the read-aloud sessions, Sue asked DeAnn, “What were you trying to say there?” To which DeAnn replied, “I don’t know because you wrote it!”

We all three belly laughed. We were tired and thought it was hysterical that Sue didn’t recognize her own story! It made for a fond memory.

While the editing process was lengthy, it was worth it. Besides, we did not want to publish subpar work; we wanted to deliver an excellent book that was error-free. By the time we submitted our final draft to the publisher, it was in good shape. We then worked with the publisher’s editorial staff.

They made a few tweaks, but overall, our book didn’t need a lot of changes because we had spent so much time editing prior to submitting.

Truth be told, we were sick of reading our manuscript. We joked that we never wanted to read it ever again (and personally, I haven’t—ha), but editing is a necessary part of writing if you want to publish quality work.

Writing the last line of your manuscript can feel like crossing the finish line. You have poured your heart and soul into every word. You’ve probably prayed over your story, whether fiction or nonfiction, hoping it will minister to readers. You type “The End,” and for a moment it feels complete.

Here’s the truth every writer must learn though: finishing the draft is only the beginning.

Editing is where the real molding of your story happens. It’s the chiseling away of excess, the polishing of rough edges, the refining until what remains shines with clarity and purpose. As Christian writers, God has entrusted us with words, and editing is a way we can honor that gift by giving our absolute best.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:23 (NIV), “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord . . ..” Editing, though tedious at times, is one of those “whatever you do” moments.

So, what exactly does editing involve, and why does it sometimes feel overwhelming? Part of it is that editing isn’t just one thing—it’s several different processes, each with its own mission. Below you will find some types of editing important for writers to know.

1. Developmental Editing (Big Picture Work)

Think of developmental editing as zooming out to see the whole forest, not the individual trees.

A developmental edit looks at structure, flow, and message. For a novelist, this means questions like—Does the story arc work? Are characters consistent and believable? Does the pacing keep readers engaged? For nonfiction and devotionals, it’s more about—Is the message clear? Do chapters build logically? Is the reader taken on a journey that makes sense? Developmental edits often lead to big rewrites, but that’s sometimes necessary. They ensure your story holds together.

A couple of resources for this stage of development are The Art of Fiction by John Gardner (for novelists) and Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark (for all writers).

2. Line Editing (Polishing the Prose)

Line editing is about artistry at the sentence level. Here, an editor (or you, wearing your editor hat) will refine how each line sounds. It’s about rhythm, tone, and voice. Examples of line editing—Is this sentence too long? Does the word choice reflect the character’s personality? Am I showing instead of telling? (something I personally struggle with). For devotionals and inspirational writing, line editing also helps you strike the right balance between truth and tenderness. You want to teach and encourage without sounding heavy-handed.