macro edits
the first stage of editing is the biggest - with a focus on general flow, rather than specifics! also known as structural or developmental edits, this is your first stage of editing after the first draft. while editing you should:
rewrite your draft (second draft)
focus on the bigger picture
fill plot holes & other inconsistencies
make plot/character changes as needed
many authors prefer to hire an editor at this stage, for feedback. at this point, it's highly recommended to get at least one other opinion on your story - including the plot, characters, and the consistency of your draft!
line edits
the second stage of edits zooms in from macro edits. instead of looking at the overview of the plot and flow, line edits look at each line of your story. while editing you should:
make medium sized edits
look for repetitive language/scenes
check for appropriate language use
check for clunky sentences and phrases
you can also hire a line editor at this stage, if you want to! they'll look at your word choice to see how it contributes to the overall tone, and neaten sentences to make them sharper and clearer.
copy-edits
copy edits are your final stage of editing, and the most nit-picky! by now, you'll have nearly finished the final draft of your novel. copy-editing looks at your writing on a word by word basis, for minor errors your readers might not even notice! while editing you should:
check punctuation
check spelling
check grammar
just like the other stages of editing. you can hire a copy editor at this point! although not essential, a fresh set of eyes can notice tiny details you might have missed.
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