Latest revision as of 20:51, 6 August 2026

Comprehensive Editing Pass Checklist

1. Developmental / Substantive Editing

Big-picture work. Focus on whether the story works as a whole before polishing language.

Structure & Plot

Check overall plot structure (beginning, middle, end; rising action, climax, resolution).
Evaluate pacing of the story as a whole (too slow? too rushed? sagging middle?).
Ensure major plot points land with proper setup and payoff.
Look for plot holes, unresolved threads, or logic gaps.
Confirm cause-and-effect chain of events feels natural.

Characters

Verify character arcs feel complete and earned.
Check consistency of character personality, voice, goals, and motivations.
Ensure characters change (or deliberately don’t) in believable ways.
Watch for characters acting out of character without good reason.

Scenes & Grounding

Make sure every scene has a clear purpose (advances plot, develops character, or deepens theme).
Ground dialogue — Avoid “dialogues in a vacuum.” For every conversation, check that “what’s going on around them” is present: action beats, body language, setting details, sensory information, and what characters are doing while they talk.
Ensure scenes feel fully rendered and immersive rather than floating heads talking.
Check transitions between scenes for smoothness.

Themes

Confirm core themes (friendship, duty, perseverance, etc.) are actually present and woven through the story.
Look for opportunities to strengthen thematic resonance through character choices, conflicts, symbols, or plot events.
Ensure themes emerge organically rather than being stated too bluntly.

Point of View & Perspective

Check POV consistency (no head-hopping unless intentional).
Ensure the chosen POV serves the story and character.
Verify the narrative distance feels appropriate.

World & Continuity

Check internal consistency of world-building, rules, timelines, and details.
Flag any contradictions in setting, magic/technology systems, or established facts.

2. Line Editing

Sentence- and paragraph-level work. Focus on how the writing reads and feels.

Improve flow and rhythm of sentences and paragraphs.
Strengthen word choice (replace weak, vague, or repetitive words).
Tighten prose — cut unnecessary words, filler, and redundancy.
Enhance clarity and precision of meaning.
Preserve and strengthen the author’s voice and tone.
Smooth awkward phrasing or clunky constructions.
Adjust sentence variety and length for better pacing within scenes.
Ensure emotional beats and subtext land effectively.
Balance dialogue with narrative and description so neither overwhelms the other.
Check that descriptions and action feel vivid without overwriting.

3. Copy Editing

Technical correctness and consistency. Focus on rules and polish.

Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Fix syntax issues and unclear sentence structures.
Ensure consistency of names, terms, capitalization, hyphenation, and spelling (create/update a style sheet).
Apply a chosen style guide (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style).
Check for consistency in numbers, dates, measurements, and formatting.
Light fact-checking of real-world details, timelines, and continuity.
Verify dialogue punctuation and attribution are correct and consistent.
Flag remaining continuity or logic issues that slipped through earlier passes.

4. Proofreading

Final surface-level check after all revisions are complete.

Catch remaining typos, misspellings, and missing/extra words.
Check for repeated or missing punctuation.
Verify formatting (paragraph breaks, scene breaks, italics, etc.).
Look for layout issues if the text is already typeset (widows, orphans, bad breaks).
Do a final read-aloud pass for anything that still sounds off.

Scratch Pad

Additional
- flat additions to the base value
- sum with each other
Percent Increased/Reduced the base value
- Percent change
Percent More/Less the modified value
- Applied after increased/reduced

Sum all Added and Base values -> 10
Sum all Increased into one multiplier -> 1.45
Multiply Added/Base total x Increased multiplier ->10x1.45=14.5
Multiply by each More separately -> 14.5 x 1.05 x 1.3 x 1.1 = 21.77
Multiply by Amplified separately

Naval Combat

Long Range (up to 250,000 km) -- lasers + railguns
Missile Range (up to 1,000,000 km)
Close range (under 20,000 km) --ion beams

    *ion beams are short range, but cause massive internal thermal and radiation effects.

Marine Hierarchy

Fire Team
Squad
Platoon
Company
Battalion
Regiment
Brigade (1st Sylvan Marines)
Division

navy will perform air cavalry and troop transport role with gunships. I need to flesh out the marine recon role.

Increase the length of the prologue, to have more fleeing, near death experiences, etc.,

Add the character artwork as commissions prior to a design change for the uniforms. They'll serve as bonus artwork on the special edition hardcovers.
Here is a list of characters

Here is a list of warships

Here are the Species and Professions.

http://robertplewis.com/index.php/Category:Naval_Weapons

http://robertplewis.com/index.php/System_Titles

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Scratch Pad ==
+= Comprehensive Editing Pass Checklist =
-navy will perform air cavalry and troop transport role with gunships. I need to flesh out the marine recon role.
+== 1. Developmental / Substantive Editing ==
+Big-picture work. Focus on whether the story works as a whole before polishing language.
-Increase the length of the prologue, to have more fleeing, near death experiences, etc.,
+=== Structure & Plot ===
-<br>
+* Check overall plot structure (beginning, middle, end; rising action, climax, resolution).
-Here is a list of [[:Category:Characters|characters]]
+* Evaluate pacing of the story as a whole (too slow? too rushed? sagging middle?).
+* Ensure major plot points land with proper setup and payoff.
+* Look for plot holes, unresolved threads, or logic gaps.
+* Confirm cause-and-effect chain of events feels natural.
-Here is a list of [[:Category:Terran Warship|warships]]
+=== Characters ===
+* Verify character arcs feel complete and earned.
+* Check consistency of character personality, voice, goals, and motivations.
+* Ensure characters change (or deliberately don’t) in believable ways.
+* Watch for characters acting out of character without good reason.
-Here are the [[Races and Professions|Races and Professions]].
+=== Scenes & Grounding ===
+* Make sure every scene has a clear purpose (advances plot, develops character, or deepens theme).
+* '''Ground dialogue''' — Avoid “dialogues in a vacuum.” For every conversation, check that “what’s going on around them” is present: action beats, body language, setting details, sensory information, and what characters are doing while they talk.
+* Ensure scenes feel fully rendered and immersive rather than floating heads talking.
+* Check transitions between scenes for smoothness.
-http://robertplewis.com/index.php/Category:Naval_Weapons
+=== Themes ===
+* Confirm core themes (friendship, duty, perseverance, etc.) are actually present and woven through the story.
+* Look for opportunities to strengthen thematic resonance through character choices, conflicts, symbols, or plot events.
+* Ensure themes emerge organically rather than being stated too bluntly.
-*need a page to promote artists.
+=== Point of View & Perspective ===
+* Check POV consistency (no head-hopping unless intentional).
+* Ensure the chosen POV serves the story and character.
+* Verify the narrative distance feels appropriate.
-http://robertplewis.com/index.php/System_Titles
+=== World & Continuity ===
+* Check internal consistency of world-building, rules, timelines, and details.
+* Flag any contradictions in setting, magic/technology systems, or established facts.
-== Space Navy Ship Classes and Mission Sets ==
+== 2. Line Editing ==
+Sentence- and paragraph-level work. Focus on how the writing reads and feels.
-In this sci-fi setting, space navies employ a range of warship classes, each with specialized roles. Battleships are assumed to remain relevant and powerful due to advances in shielding, armor, weaponry, or other technologies.
+* Improve flow and rhythm of sentences and paragraphs.
+* Strengthen word choice (replace weak, vague, or repetitive words).
+* Tighten prose — cut unnecessary words, filler, and redundancy.
+* Enhance clarity and precision of meaning.
+* Preserve and strengthen the author’s voice and tone.
+* Smooth awkward phrasing or clunky constructions.
+* Adjust sentence variety and length for better pacing within scenes.
+* Ensure emotional beats and subtext land effectively.
+* Balance dialogue with narrative and description so neither overwhelms the other.
+* Check that descriptions and action feel vivid without overwriting.
-=== Corvettes ===
+== 3. Copy Editing ==
-Corvettes are the smallest and most agile warships, prioritizing speed, stealth, and low crew requirements. They excel at independent operations and screening duties.
+Technical correctness and consistency. Focus on rules and polish.
-* '''Patrol and Reconnaissance''': Scouting enemy positions, monitoring hyperspace lanes, surveying uncharted systems for resources or threats
+* Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
-* '''Anti-Piracy and Interdiction''': Intercepting smugglers, raiders, or small enemy vessels in border regions or trade routes
+* Fix syntax issues and unclear sentence structures.
-* '''Escort Duties''': Protecting convoys of merchant ships or troop transports from fighter swarms or missile attacks
+* Ensure consistency of names, terms, capitalization, hyphenation, and spelling (create/update a style sheet).
-* '''Special Operations Support''': Inserting/extracting commando teams on planetary surfaces or space stations, often using cloaking technology
+* Apply a chosen style guide (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style).
-* '''Mine Warfare''': Deploying or clearing space mines, debris fields, or orbital hazards
+* Check for consistency in numbers, dates, measurements, and formatting.
+* Light fact-checking of real-world details, timelines, and continuity.
+* Verify dialogue punctuation and attribution are correct and consistent.
+* Flag remaining continuity or logic issues that slipped through earlier passes.
-=== Frigates ===
+== 4. Proofreading ==
-Frigates are versatile multi-role vessels that bridge corvettes and larger warships, with strong emphasis on electronic warfare and defensive systems.
+Final surface-level check after all revisions are complete.
-* '''Fleet Screening''': Defending capital ships from fighters, torpedoes, or drone swarms using point-defense and jamming arrays
+* Catch remaining typos, misspellings, and missing/extra words.
-* '''Anti-Subspace Warfare''': Detecting and neutralizing cloaked ships, wormhole ambushes, or other stealth/subspace threats
+* Check for repeated or missing punctuation.
-* '''Planetary Bombardment Support''': Providing precision orbital fire support for ground forces
+* Verify formatting (paragraph breaks, scene breaks, italics, etc.).
-* '''Electronic Warfare and Intelligence''': Jamming enemy comms, network intrusion, signals intelligence gathering
+* Look for layout issues if the text is already typeset (widows, orphans, bad breaks).
-* '''Rapid Response Missions''': Hit-and-run strikes against outposts, supply depots, or isolated assets
+* Do a final read-aloud pass for anything that still sounds off.
-=== Destroyers ===
+== Scratch Pad ==
-Destroyers are fast, heavily armed offensive platforms — the workhorses of fleet combat at medium range.
-* '''Torpedo and Missile Warfare''': Launching large salvos of guided munitions to overwhelm shields or capital ships
+*Additional
-* '''Anti-Fighter Defense''': Engaging enemy fighter/drone swarms with rapid-fire weapons and interceptors
+**flat additions to the base value
-* '''Surface Strike''': Leading raids on enemy fleets or installations
+**sum with each other
-* '''Escort and Protection''': Guarding carriers and battleships from flanking maneuvers
+*Percent Increased/Reduced the base value
-* '''Pursuit and Harassment''': Chasing retreating enemies or disrupting supply lines
+**Percent change
+*Percent More/Less the modified value
+**Applied after increased/reduced
-=== Cruisers ===
-Cruisers are large, command-capable ships that form the backbone of task forces and can operate independently.
-* '''Command and Control''': Serving as flagships with advanced sensor fusion, fleet coordination, and communications
+#Sum all Added and Base values -> 10
-* '''Long-Range Strike''': Delivering heavy railguns, energy lances, or other ordnance against distant targets
+#Sum all Increased into one multiplier -> 1.45
-* '''Area Air/Space Defense''': Creating protective zones with advanced anti-missile and anti-fighter systems
+#Multiply Added/Base total x Increased multiplier ->10x1.45=14.5
-* '''Amphibious Support''': Directing planetary invasions, troop landings, and providing covering fire
+#Multiply by each More separately -> 14.5 x 1.05 x 1.3 x 1.1 = 21.77
-* '''Diplomatic / Show-of-Force''': Patrolling contested zones to deter aggression or enforce treaties
+#Multiply by Amplified separately
-=== Battleships ===
-Battleships remain premier line-of-battle assets — massive, heavily armored and armed platforms designed to dominate decisive engagements.
-* '''Capital Ship Duels''': Direct combat against enemy battleships or dreadnoughts using spinal mounts and broadsides
+===Naval Combat===
-* '''Orbital Siege''': Heavy bombardment of fortified planets, stations, or asteroid bases
+*Long Range (up to 250,000 km) -- lasers + railguns
-* '''Fleet Anchor''': Forming the core of the battle line, absorbing damage while providing suppressive fire
+*Missile Range (up to 1,000,000 km)
-* '''Strategic Deterrence''': Stationing in key systems to prevent enemy advances through sheer presence
+*Close range (under 20,000 km) --ion beams
-* '''Heavy Assault''': Leading breakthroughs, using tractor beams, boarding parties, or overwhelming firepower
-=== Carriers ===
+     *ion beams are short range, but cause massive internal thermal and radiation effects.
-Carriers are mobile fighter/drone bases focused on power projection rather than direct ship-to-ship combat.
-* '''Fighter Operations''': Launching, recovering, and directing squadrons for air superiority, strikes, or reconnaissance
-* '''Power Projection''': Striking deep into enemy territory without risking the main fleet
-* '''Recon and Surveillance''': Deploying scout drones/probes to map enemy movements or hyperspace features
-* '''Support and Logistics''': Mid-mission refueling, repair, and acting as mobile command hubs
-* '''Defensive Screening''': Using embarked craft to create layered defenses around the carrier group
-== Dropship Roles and Capabilities ==
+===Marine Hierarchy===
+*Fire Team
+*Squad
+*Platoon
+*Company
+*Battalion
+*Regiment
+*Brigade (1st Sylvan Marines)
+*Division
-In this setting, small agile fighter craft have been rendered obsolete by ubiquitous close-in weapon systems (CIWS/point-defense). Instead, the primary close air support and mobility platform is the multi-crewed, heavily armed and armored '''dropship''' (comparable to Starfleet runabouts vs. shuttlecraft or Peregrine fighters). These are Navy-piloted with Marine gunners and systems officers, offering superior survivability, endurance, payload, and versatility.
-Dropships operate primarily in a high-altitude or near-orbit loiter profile, functioning as persistent sensor/communications nodes and precision fire support platforms (inspired by F-35 CAS doctrine but scaled up).
-=== Primary Roles ===
-; '''Troop Insertion / Extraction'''
-: Hot drops of Marine squads/platoons (in power armor) into contested landing zones; rapid exfiltration under fire.
-: Rear/ventral ramps for fast egress; ventral-mounted energy cannons for suppressive covering fire during ingress/egress.
-: Often includes stealth coatings, ablative armor, or short-duration ECM bursts.
-; '''Close Air Support (CAS) / Gunship'''
+navy will perform air cavalry and troop transport role with gunships. I need to flesh out the marine recon role.
-: Provides persistent, high-altitude overwatch and precision fire support to ground troops.
-: Loiters at altitude (20,000–50,000+ ft or near-orbit) to remain outside most ground-based CIWS envelopes.
-: Delivers devastating fire via energy cannons (plasma, particle beams, or high-energy lasers) on troop call-for-fire.
-: Precise, near-infinite "ammo" (power-limited) with minimal collateral compared to kinetics; surgical suppression to anti-armor/anti-structure strikes.
-: Secondary kinetic options (railguns, missiles) for hardened targets.
-; '''Reconnaissance / Cavalry Scout'''
+Increase the length of the prologue, to have more fleeing, near death experiences, etc.,
-: Forward scouting, target designation, and overwatch for main force or orbital strikes.
-: Pairs with recon platoons for deep insertion, sensor placement, and real-time intel gathering.
-: Equipped with advanced sensor suites (phased-array radars, hyperspectral imagers, quantum-linked drones).
-: Light armament for self-defense; fast atmospheric/near-vacuum flight for rapid repositioning.
-; '''Sensor and Communications Platform'''
+Add the character artwork as commissions prior to a design change for the uniforms. They'll serve as bonus artwork on the special edition hardcovers.
-: Acts as elevated battlespace manager and data relay.
+<br>
-: Massive sensor fusion creates shared picture for ground units (recon platoons, rifle companies, command).
+Here is a list of [[:Category:Characters|characters]]
-: Feeds real-time video, targeting data, and threat tracks to Marine helmet HUDs or neural links.
-: Serves as comms gateway in jammed/degraded environments; includes EW/jamming capabilities.
-; '''Multi-Role / Utility'''
+Here is a list of [[:Category:Terran Warship|warships]]
-: Modular mission pods allow rapid reconfiguration (troop bay ↔ sensor suite ↔ missile/torpedo launcher ↔ medevac).
-: Handles cargo transport, medical evacuation, electronic warfare, light boarding actions, or fleet screening.
-: Swappable loadouts enable one hull to fulfill multiple expeditionary needs.
-; '''Anti-Small Craft / Escort'''
+Here are the [[Species and Professions|Species and Professions]].
-: Defends against enemy drones, residual fighters, or swarm threats.
-: Heavy point-defense grid (mini-CIWS) plus anti-fighter missiles.
-: Armored and redundant systems allow it to tank hits that would destroy smaller craft.
-=== Key Capabilities Summary ===
+http://robertplewis.com/index.php/Category:Naval_Weapons
-* '''Survivability''': Thick armor/shields, own CIWS/point-defense, redundant systems, multi-crew redundancy.
+http://robertplewis.com/index.php/System_Titles
-* '''Endurance''': Long loiter via advanced propulsion (fusion/anti-grav/solar regen); hours to days on station.
-* '''Firepower''': Primary energy cannons for precision CAS; secondary kinetics; modular ordnance bays.
-* '''Sensor/Intel''': 360° distributed aperture, AESA-equivalent radar, drone swarms, hyperspectral/quantum sensors.
-* '''Integration''': Navy pilots handle flight/EW; Marine gunners/systems officers manage weapons/targeting/troop coordination.
-* '''Versatility''': Fewer, more capable platforms replace fighter wings; squadron of 8–12 supports a battalion.
-These dropships serve as the linchpin of marine planetary assault operations—combining mobility, fire support, reconnaissance, and command functions into a single, tough platform.