Editing Different Genres: Tailoring Your Approach to Fiction, Nonfiction, & More
Editing is a crucial phase in the writing process, transforming rough drafts into polished pieces that captivate readers — instead of distracting them with inconsistencies, plotholes, or unexplained acronyms.
However, many writers overlook that the approach to editing should be tailored to the specific genre of the piece/manuscript.
Each literary genre comes with its own set of challenges, opportunities, and expectations, making it essential to customize your editing style and techniques.
Let’s dive a bit into editing for various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and more, and explore how to navigate each.
Understanding the Different Genres
Before we discuss specific editing techniques, it’s important to understand the unique characteristics of different genres. The two main ones, fiction (story) and nonfiction (real/factual) have very different goals and structures, leading to distinct editing needs.
In fiction, the emphasis is on storytelling, character development, and world-building. Authors need to ensure that their plot is engaging, the characters are relatable/understandable, and the setting is vivid.
