And then tell me how you did it.
Not the hand clapping thing. I've got that down. I can even slow clap.
But what I mean is if you're happy with your manuscript and you know it, how'd you do that? How'd you know you were done? How'd you know it was right?
The reason I'm asking is... well, besides the fact that I'm incredibly insecure— is that I think I might be done. Yeah, yesterday I was all "Oh woe is me, I have X number of pages left to edit" and I'm wondering if part of the reason why I'm struggling to close out these edits is that maybe they don't need to be done in the first place. (Well, some of them anyway. I did pull two scenes apart so I should probably put them back together again, if nothing else.)
I feel as though I'm in a place where if I keep editing, if I keep making changes, then it will be to the book's determent. That it won't be my book anymore. And as I'm going the self publishing route, I feel like I damn well better love this book.
So, all perfectly valid arguments, I think, but here's the thing. I don't really trust myself because— let's face it— I hate editing. I understand that it's a necessary evil like going to the dentist or my day job or doing sit ups (Oh wait. I don't do sit ups. Never mind...). I understand that it makes my dismal first draft into something readable but I still don't like it.
Therefore, I'm afraid I'm just making excuses, justifying my deep desire to not edit anymore. You know, kind of like how I justify having that last piece of chocolate cake because I don't want it to get lonely. I'm just thinking of the cake. Really.
So I'm turning to you, my fellow writers, to help me out here. How'd you know you were ready? How'd you know you'd finally crossed that finish line? How'd you convince yourself to stop being crazy (not that you're crazy) and take the plunge?
Shower me with wisdom, slap me upside the head, whatever it takes. I'm game.
I'm also scheduled at The Store today so I won't be able to hit your blogs until much later in the day. But leave some chocolate cake out for me and I'll be sure to find my way.
Happy writing all...
(For a complete list of all IWSG participants, click on the graphic at the beginning of this post)