What is a structural edit anyway?

notes from my writing desk

The writing desk is open again as I begin work on the final structural edit of my tenth novel (which is out in June and I’ll have more news on that very shortly).

But what is a structural edit?

Every writer has a different approach to their first draft. Some write fast and then go back over it several times. Some (me included) write slower editing as they go, smoothing and polishing (do not listen to ‘rules’ about how you shouldn’t edit as you go - you do you - there are no ‘right’ ways to write a book).

When I sit down to write a new book I’ve already written extensive notes and a plan in longhand. I then spend about four months writing my first typed draft which I will go over twice more before it goes to my agent who will then send me some notes of her own (nothing huge at this stage). Then the manuscript is off to my editor and the real work begins!

An editor will send you your structural edit, which usually comes in the form of a long letter. When you first read it you will want to cry or die or both. You will ignore all of the times your editor has said “this books is so wonderful” or “I fell in love with your characters” and you will instead focus on only the flaws. You will think you have written the worst book ever and now you have approximately three weeks to rewrite the entire thing.

10 books in this is still how I feel!

Just over seven years ago I received my very first structural edit letter for the book that was to become The Many Colours of Us. I had no idea that structural edits were a thing and had no idea what to do with the five page long letter or where to start.

Luckily for me, my friend Sarah was a couple of months ahead of me and had already had her first edit letter. She gave me the best piece of writing advice which I apply to this day.

She said to sleep on it. Read the letter through and then put it away. Don’t start editing, don’t even open the manuscript, just stop thinking about it and do something else. See how you feel in the morning.

The next day I was raring to go. I’d had lots of ideas and realised, when I re-read the letter, that it wasn’t criticising me or my book, but suggesting a lot of different ways the book could be stronger, more readable and, ultimately, more sell-able.

Remember that it is your book.

My first ever editor gave me another piece of useful advice in that first structural edit. She told me to always remember that it was my book and my story - the edits were only suggestions.

And there will be a lot of suggestions.

For example in my most recent edit letter my editor has made 5 different suggestions about how I can smooth out a particular plot point. She does not expect me to use them all. In fact, as it turns out I am not using any of them because her selection of suggestions has made me think of something else entirely that I know is going to work, but I would never have got there on my own.

And remember you are not alone

It takes a team to write a novel. Your editor is on your side, always. They want your book to be as successful as you do. They will be there if you run into problems - I have never had an edit letter that doesn’t offer to talk things through if I need to. Your early drafts are a lonely process but once you are on to edits there are people there to bounce ideas off.

After my edits are finished and I read the book through again I always know it is a better book for the input of my editor. None of us can do everything on our own.

It will also probably be the last time you will enjoy reading that particular book. You will read it at least three more times - once after line edits, once after copy edits and at least once after your proofs. At that point you will probably hate it and want to burn it.

That is completely normal too.

******

Because of the aforementioned structural edits, I’ll be taking a week or two of Substack but I’ll see you in March.

Rachel