Ah, the excitement of finally completing your first manuscript after all those hours you put into it. Now it’s time to entrust it to an editor. Do you know what to expect?

There are different types of editing services, but here are a few primary ones.

You might feel confident about your writing abilities, so believe line editing is what you need. (If you feel 100 percent certain a proofreader is all you need, you don’t need to read this article.) A line editor will adjust punctuation, check for subject-verb agreement, and basically tweak the technical aspects as needed, without suggesting changes to your story. However, some line editors will bring issues to your attention, if they see any.

However, if you wonder if your story works or you know it needs something, developmental editing is a better fit for your needs. A developmental editor focuses on character and plot development, dialogue, and how your novel flows from start to finish. Creative and technical aspects are addressed. This type of editor helps you with the right hook to grab readers and keep them reading (if needed), and makes certain the action builds and the novel ends as it should. A good developmental editor acts as your co-pilot to do what it takes to make sure your novel "flies," whether that’s to a literary agent, a publisher that accepts unsolicited manuscripts, or into self-publishing.

You should speak with an editor whose services you consider using, to ask any questions you have. There is one question no editor can answer (unless the editor is a psychic extraordinaire), and that is: How long will it take?

That’s a reasonable question because you’re paying for the editor’s time. But, there’s no way an editor can anticipate how much time will be involved. The total number of hours is based on the length of your manuscript, the level of service the editor needs to provide based on your writing skills, and may include providing extensive notes to assist you with the revision.

Be clear that a developmental editor will provide suggested rewrites and suggestions so you can decide to accept his or her suggestions or not, but will not rewrite your manuscript. Rewriting services are different from developmental editing, in that the editor is entrusted with the job of rewriting your manuscript, as needed and as agreed.

Developmental editing is an expense you must plan for. Your editor invests a great deal of time, focus, energy, and enthusiasm into advising you about how to make your story the best it can be. This person "steps" into your story, into your "shoes" as the writer, and into your "voice." If budget is a consideration, and you feel you have a good rapport with an editor, ask what options the editor offers.

If your budget is more shoe-string than slip-on, consider a critique. Be sure to find out what you can expect from this service. Not all critiques are equal. You want as many notes as possible and enough suggested rewrites to guide you to revise your novel into good shape.

A good critique or a thorough job of developmental editing should leave you feeling you’ve not only learned how to improve your manuscript, but improved your skills as a writer.

One thing to keep in mind is to not go into shock when your manuscript is returned after a critique or developmental editing has been completed. Your desired outcome is a good story told well. Revisions are a way of life for a writer. It isn’t unheard of for even famous authors to revise a manuscript five, ten, or even more times before submitting it to their publisher. And even the publisher’s editor may suggest further revisions.

You also want an editor to be straightforward with you. I’ve received sample chapters from prospective clients and knew their manuscript wasn’t ready for editing. When this happens I discuss doing a critique instead.

Look for an editor who enjoys working with your genre. The best outcome happens when you, as the author, and your editor are enthused about working together and believe in the potential of your manuscript. Editors can get a sense of both when you provide the first several chapters.

Writing a novel is a process. Be willing to engage the process in all its stages.