10 Tips for Editing Fiction: Character Development and Plotting

Editing is a critical phase in the fiction writing process, particularly when it comes to character development and plotting. While the first draft is often a rush of creativity, the editing stage gives you an opportunity to refine and perfect your work, making sure that your characters feel real, your plot is compelling, and your story is cohesive. In this article, we'll explore ten practical tips for editing fiction, with a focus on character development and plotting.

Know Your Characters Inside and Out

One of the most important aspects of editing fiction is ensuring that your characters are well-developed and consistent throughout the story. Before diving into editing, spend some time reflecting on your characters' motivations, desires, and fears. Are they behaving in ways that make sense based on their personalities? Do their actions align with their goals and backstories?

Tip: Create a Character Checklist

For each of your main characters, create a checklist that includes the following:

• Backstory: Where do they come from? What experiences shaped them?
• Motivations: What do they want? What drives them to act?
• Fears and Flaws: What are they afraid of? What weaknesses hold them back?
• Relationships: How do they interact with other characters? Are there any unresolved conflicts?

By having a clear understanding of your characters, you'll be better equipped to spot inconsistencies or underdeveloped aspects of their characterization. This will help you make edits that ensure each character behaves in a way that is true to their nature.

Avoid Info-Dumping

While developing your characters, it can be tempting to provide lengthy backstories or long explanations about their motivations. However, this can quickly lead to info-dumping, which can slow down the pace of the story and bore readers. Instead, try to weave character details naturally into the narrative.

Tip: Show, Don't Tell

Rather than telling the reader everything about your character upfront, reveal key details through their actions, dialogue, and internal thoughts. For example, instead of stating "John was afraid of the dark because he was abandoned as a child," show his fear by describing how he trembles when the lights go out or how he avoids certain dark areas of the house.

This technique keeps the story moving and helps to keep the reader engaged while gradually revealing the depth of the characters.

Evaluate Character Arcs

A strong character arc is essential for a compelling story. A character arc is the transformation or journey a character undergoes throughout the plot, usually as a result of the events of the story. If your character doesn't change or grow in some way, readers may find it difficult to connect with them.

Tip: Check for Character Growth

As you edit your story, evaluate whether each major character undergoes a meaningful change. For example:

• Does the protagonist overcome a flaw or fear?
• Do secondary characters have their own arcs that complement the main plot?
• Is there a clear emotional progression for the characters?

If you find that a character's arc is weak or unclear, think about how you can adjust the events in the story to help that character evolve. Perhaps they need more challenges, more internal conflict, or more opportunities to reflect on their actions.

Ensure the Plot is Structured Effectively

Plotting is just as important as character development, and the structure of your plot can make or break your story. When editing, take a step back and evaluate your story's overall structure. Is it clear, compelling, and well-paced?

Tip: Use the Three-Act Structure

One of the most popular methods for structuring a plot is the three-act structure:

1. Act 1: The setup. Introduce the protagonist, their world, and the conflict.
2. Act 2: The confrontation. The protagonist faces obstacles that escalate the tension.
3. Act 3: The resolution. The conflict is resolved, and the protagonist's arc is completed.

Review your plot with this structure in mind. Are there places where the tension lags or the stakes feel too low? If so, consider revising key scenes or adding additional complications to keep the plot moving forward.

Tighten the Pace

Pacing is crucial in maintaining reader interest. A story that drags can cause readers to lose focus, while a story that moves too quickly might leave them feeling disconnected. As you edit, focus on tightening the pacing of your scenes to keep readers hooked.

Tip: Trim Unnecessary Scenes

Look for scenes that don't contribute directly to character development or plot progression. Are there moments where characters are simply talking without adding value to the story? These scenes may need to be cut or rewritten to serve a clearer purpose. Additionally, cut unnecessary description or dialogue that slows the pace. Every scene should move the plot forward or reveal something important about the characters.

Enhance Dialogue for Characterization

Dialogue is a powerful tool for character development and plotting. It reveals a lot about your characters' personalities, relationships, and motivations. As you edit, pay close attention to the dialogue and ask yourself: Is it realistic? Does it reveal something new about the character? Does it move the plot forward?

Tip: Make Dialogue Authentic

Ensure that your characters' speech patterns are consistent with their backgrounds and personalities. A character who is formal in their speech will sound out of place using casual slang. On the other hand, a character from a particular social or regional background may have specific dialects or word choices. Editing your dialogue for consistency in tone and style can bring your characters to life.

Additionally, avoid having characters explain things to each other unless it's necessary for the plot. People rarely talk in exposition in real life. Instead, show their emotions or intentions through subtext, tone, and action.

Ensure the Theme is Consistent

The theme of your story is the central idea or message you want to convey to readers. During the editing phase, it's important to evaluate whether the theme is clear and consistent throughout the narrative. Does the story resonate with the central theme from start to finish?

Tip: Weave the Theme Subtly

Instead of overtly stating the theme, weave it subtly throughout the story using character actions, dialogue, and symbolism. For example, if your theme is about redemption, you could show the protagonist's internal struggle and gradual transformation through their decisions and relationships with other characters.

Strengthen the Conflict

The conflict is the driving force behind your plot. Without strong conflict, there is no tension, and without tension, there is no story. During your editing process, carefully assess the conflict to ensure that it is clear, compelling, and complex.

Tip: Raise the Stakes

Check if the stakes of your conflict are high enough. Are your characters' goals significant? Is the antagonist powerful enough to create a serious threat? As you edit, think about ways to raise the stakes and make the conflict more engaging. If necessary, introduce additional complications or obstacles that push the characters further out of their comfort zones.

Check for Plot Holes and Inconsistencies

Even the most well-thought-out plots can have holes or inconsistencies. Plot holes are moments in the story where logic is violated, or something doesn't make sense in the context of the world you've built. As you edit, be on the lookout for any inconsistencies that could confuse the reader.

Tip: Read Backwards and Ask "Why?"

One technique to catch plot holes is to read your manuscript backwards. This helps you focus on the mechanics of the plot rather than getting distracted by the story itself. While reading, ask yourself: Does everything make sense? Why did the character make this decision? Does this scene logically follow the previous one? If something doesn't add up, revise accordingly.

Polish Your Prose

Finally, your writing style is key to maintaining the flow of the story. While editing, pay attention to sentence structure, word choice, and tone. Tighten your prose to ensure clarity and fluidity, and make sure that your writing style aligns with the tone and genre of the story.

Tip: Read Aloud

One effective way to catch awkward phrasing or clunky sentences is to read your manuscript aloud. Hearing your story will help you identify sentences that are difficult to read, overly repetitive, or inconsistent with the character's voice. It also allows you to experience the rhythm of your prose, which can help with pacing and overall flow.

Conclusion

Editing fiction is a complex and nuanced process, especially when it comes to character development and plotting. By following these ten tips, you'll be well on your way to refining your story and ensuring that your characters feel real, your plot is compelling, and your narrative is cohesive. Remember, editing is a process of discovery --- take the time to dig deeper into your characters and your plot, and your story will emerge stronger than ever.

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