Rozi | Developmental and Copy Editor

Flight delays. Scheduling chaos. A few panic attacks. But we made it.
#ACES2025 #TheDevelopmental

#ACES2025 📚

In public discourse, as in writing, the issue isn’t just what happens but who gets to define it.

When a woman’s voice is missing from her own story, the world tells it for her. And when that happens, the focus shifts from her reality to the narrative that serves the loudest voices. #femaleauthors

Everyone is talking about Bianca Censori’s Grammys outfit except her. It got me thinking—how often do women truly own their narratives?

In media, business and publishing, our stories are reshaped, reinterpreted, or filtered through someone else’s lens. #BiancaCensori #ownyourstory #femaleauthors

(2/2) Rozi is the founder of The Developmental, a literary consultancy that supports stories with complex, authentic female characters. Fluent in five languages, she adeptly navigates linguistic subtleties and brings a culturally aware perspective to her editing. @rozi-editing.bsky.social #ACESChat

(1/2) Rozi Doci is a seasoned developmental, line, and copy editor who transforms narratives into compelling stories. Her collaborations include Time Inc., American Express, Universal, the UN, and the EU, plus numerous authors and entrepreneurs. @rozi-editing.bsky.social #ACESChat

photo of smiling blond woman

Welcome to today’s ACESChat, “Editing Female Romantic Characters: Moving Beyond Stereotypes” with Rozi Doci @rozi-editing.bsky.social #ACESChat

Love that! #ACESChat

Hi Raquel! Great to meet you.

Hi Crystal, and thank you for joining the chat! Looking forward to meeting you at the ACES conference. #ACESChat

Nice to meet you, Cyndi! Glad you were able to join the chat! #ACESChat

Thank you, Eva! Great chatting with you. #ACESChat

Thank you, Jennifer. I'm so glad you joined the chat. #ACESChat

That's such an interesting point—she becomes more self-destructive when she's in a relationship. Almost... like she should take a minute to be single :)

I haven't watched the latest episodes, so not sure what she's been up to lately.

Thanks so much for coming, Carolina! Glad you enjoyed the chat. #ACESChat

Yes! Everything revolved around her love life—which, granted, was the premise of the show—but as a viewer, I found it incredibly frustrating.

A11: I approach it as a collaborative dialogue. I emphasize that making characters more complex enhances the story’s impact and boosts reader engagement. But ultimately, I defer to the author to decide what aligns best with their vision. It's their story to tell. #ACESChat

A10b: Editors are right in the middle, bridging what authors create and what publishers present. Over time, I think we’ll see more intersectional stories that center not just on romance but on the full scope of women’s lives. #ACESChat

A10a: I see pressure coming from readers first—many are vocal on social media, demanding more inclusive, realistic portrayals. Authors respond to that, and publishers follow suit when they see sales and reader engagement. #ACESChat

I'm a Tolkien fan, so that's a great misreading 😅

A9: I like tropes! They exist for a reason: they resonate with readers. But I urge authors to personalize them. For instance, if it’s a second-chance romance, I push them to dig into what caused the initial breakup and how those unresolved issues influence who the characters are today. #ACESChat

Absolutely, Eva, I agree! None of these traits or tropes are a problem on their own—it’s when characters are reduced to just one of those things without any added nuance or complexity. #ACESChat

A8: What felt “normal” in romance 20 years ago might feel outdated—or cringeworthy—today. I make it a point to stay aware of social conversations and cultural trends to recognize if a manuscript relies on stereotypes and guide authors to create characters that resonate with current readers #ACESChat

It's a popular trope, but less so in recent years. What book were you reading? #ACESChat

That's the one! But every woman can be unique on her own without having to compete with or, worse, belittle another. #ACESChat

A7d: physical descriptions dominate a female character’s introduction or development, implying her value lies more in her looks than in her actions or personal growth. #ACESChat

A7c: other women to highlight her uniqueness, reinforcing the idea that femininity is a limiting trait. “Appearance as Personality” is a subtle issue, as it often feels natural to describe a character’s appearance to help readers visualize her. However, it becomes problematic when #ACESChat

A7b: save them, which undermines their independence and abilities. Or the “Token Exception,” where a female character is portrayed as the “one-of-a-kind” woman who doesn’t conform to traditional stereotypes, such as being conventionally attractive or popular. It often contrasts her with #ACESChat

A7a: There are so many. One example is the “Reluctant Leader”—a woman thrust into a leadership role who constantly doubts herself and relies on validation or help from her male counterpart. While often framed as romantic, this dynamic can suggest women need their partners to guide or #ACESChat

A6b: she’s “good enough” or “pretty enough,” with no personal ambitions or personality shining through. If her life revolves entirely around the romantic relationship and her conversations with other characters only center on the romance, authors are missing an opportunity to create depth. #ACESChat