Inside a Line Edit: My Step-by-Step Process
Line editing is about refinement. It’s less about reshaping the story itself and more about strengthening how that story is told, sentence by sentence and paragraph by paragraph. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I approach a line edit, and what I’m paying attention to at every stage.
Step 1: Reading for Flow
Before I touch a single sentence, I read through the manuscript focusing on flow. This isn’t a cold reader pass like in a developmental edit. It’s a listener’s read. I’m paying attention to how the prose moves, how it sounds in my head, and where I instinctively slow down or stumble.
I’m asking questions like:
Does the writing pull me forward naturally?
Are there moments where I have to reread a sentence to grasp its meaning?
Do paragraphs flow smoothly into one another, or do they feel disjointed?
This first pass helps me understand the manuscript’s natural rhythm and voice, which is crucial. A line edit isn’t about polishing the prose until it loses personality. It’s about supporting the voice that’s already there and making sure it’s coming through clearly.
“The goal is immersive prose that carries the reader forward without friction.”
Step 2: The Line-by-Line Edit
This is where the detailed work begins. I move slowly through the manuscript, working at the level of sentences and paragraphs while always keeping the scene’s emotional purpose in mind.
Clarity & Readability
I make sure each sentence communicates its idea cleanly and precisely. If a line causes confusion, even briefly, I flag it. Ambiguous pronouns, tangled phrasing, or unclear transitions all get attention. The reader should never have to stop and decode what the sentence means.
Voice & Style
I’m constantly checking that the language matches the narrative voice and point of view. Is the tone consistent, whether comic, tense, lyrical, or dark? Are metaphors fresh and earned, or do they feel overwritten or distracting? My aim is to strengthen the author’s voice, not smooth it into something generic.
Pacing (Micro-Level)
At the line level, pacing lives in sentence length and rhythm. I look at whether long sentences are slowing down action scenes, or whether short, choppy lines are undercutting emotional moments that need more space. Paragraphs that linger too long, or resolve too quickly, get flagged.
Showing vs. Telling
Telling isn’t inherently bad, but accidental telling can flatten emotional impact. I note places where a physical reaction, concrete detail, or sharper image could replace vague explanation. Every emotional beat should feel grounded in the moment and earned by what comes before it.
Emotional Logic
One of the most important aspects of line editing is emotional continuity. I track how characters react from moment to moment.
Do their responses align with what just happened?
Are mood shifts abrupt or confusing?
Is the intensity appropriate for the scene?
Precision & Economy
I trim where trimming helps. Redundant phrasing, repeated beats, filler words (just, really, very), and unnecessary qualifiers all get flagged. I also look closely at adverbs and “filter words” (she saw, he realised, I felt) that can distance the reader from the action.
Continuity (But Not Copyediting)
While a copyeditor will later handle mechanical consistency, I keep an eye out for small contradictions that disrupt immersion. This includes who knows what, when something happens, and whether the sequence of actions makes sense. I also watch for point-of-view slips or accidental head-hopping.
Dialogue
Dialogue gets special attention. I look at whether each character sounds distinct, whether dialogue tags and beats are balanced, and whether the conversation is pulling its weight in the scene. I often suggest trimming conversational filler or streamlining beats that slow momentum.
Scene Purpose (Even at the Line Level)
Even when working sentence by sentence, I’m always asking whether each paragraph is serving the scene’s emotional or narrative purpose. Micro-tangents that distract from the central action get flagged, even if the writing itself is solid.
Step 3: Comments, Questions, and Suggestions
A line edit typically includes tracked changes, where appropriate, alongside dozens or even hundreds of margin comments. Rather than rewriting the manuscript directly, I suggest alternatives, explain why a change might help, and ask questions designed to spark the author’s own thinking.
“What if she reacts physically here instead of internally?”
“Would breaking this sentence increase tension?”
“This paragraph repeats the previous emotional beat. Could it be trimmed?”
This reflects how Big Five editors approach line editing: focusing on cause-and-effect clarity, emotional truth, and moment-to-moment engagement, while preserving the author’s intention.
“A strong line edit tightens prose while preserving nuance.”
Looking for Line-Level Refinement?
If you love your story but want the writing itself to feel sharper, clearer, and more controlled on the page, a line edit can make a significant difference. It’s about refining what’s already there and making sure the language is doing exactly what you want it to do.
I work with a limited number of 1:1 clients each year, and my editing packages include thoughtful, tailored attention to your manuscript’s language and voice. If you’re ready to refine your prose and deepen your reader’s experience, I’d love to help. You can get in touch here.