How do you know when you're finished?
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Send to betas, see what they think. Revise accordingly. When you feel confident in those revisions, it's time to go.
Or you could send to more betas and make sure you addressed the problems. Revise accordingly. When you feel confident in those revisions, it's time to go
Or you could send to more betas and make sure you addressed the problems. Revise accordingly. When you feel confident in those revisions, it's time to go
thePenDragon
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Haha, I am never tempted NOT to edit. I'm never completely happy with anything I write. I stop when I don't know what else to do to it.
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That's a good question. I think it's finished when you're happy with what you have, when you're reading through it and you don't feel like you need to change or take out anything. For some of us, that may happen quickly and for some of us, it seems to take forever.
Anyway, I can't wait to see what other answers you receive.
Anyway, I can't wait to see what other answers you receive.
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I am almost in the same position. I have edit my book, sent it to beta's and am still not sure if I am finished. My biggest thing is that my ending is as I always thought a little weak however every beta that reads it thinks something different about it lol. Some say leave it the way it is "it's great" or other's think I need to completley re-write the last few chapters... So I am not sure I will ever know I will be finished. I think I might have to call it quits cause in reality you could probably edit your book till the cows come home and still find after each read that you still have things you could fix. I know not helpful but I think when you feel that it is the best you can do then your ready!
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Ah, the eternal question.
I'd say just go with your gut. A book can be over edited, in my opinion. Though the problem is more often that it's not edited enough.
Ask yourself: if an all star agent requested the full manuscript today would you feel confident sending it to them? If the answer is yes, you're probably ready. If no, then you might want to polish it more.
I'd say just go with your gut. A book can be over edited, in my opinion. Though the problem is more often that it's not edited enough.
Ask yourself: if an all star agent requested the full manuscript today would you feel confident sending it to them? If the answer is yes, you're probably ready. If no, then you might want to polish it more.
When the fat lady sings.
Go with your gut, I agree with Renee a book can be over edited so be true to your story but polish it enough that you are satisfied.
Go with your gut, I agree with Renee a book can be over edited so be true to your story but polish it enough that you are satisfied.
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I don't know. I can tell you the best way to realize that it needs more revision is to start querying...
This.
But seriously, just go with it. When byou think it's polished, try and send it out to some betas and then agents. If you think it needs more revision, then take a whack at it again. It's all up to you.
ToddWBush
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THIS times a million! I would edit my WIPs down to nothing if I didn't stop myself. So I call myself "finished" when I hit my target word count, all my betas are pleased with it, and all the plot holes are more or less filled in. THEN I force myself to let it go. Because there's no way I'll ever be 100% satisfied with my own work, ever.
From Robin McKinley's website:
Oh, it's also a good indication that you're close to done when your eyeballs start to bleed and you can quote your novel by memory.
I am obsessive about this. I will go over a MS a hundred times. For some reason,new quotes and lines are always popping up in my mind. Oooh,what a pretty phrase! Eek,that suits my MC so well and so on. I have to reign myself in and say no more.
I worry about my grammar a lot and literally go through my MS line by line. I realized that over editing is really a form of procrastination. Let your baby go!
When every line flows and I can find no more grammar errors,I am done.
I worry about my grammar a lot and literally go through my MS line by line. I realized that over editing is really a form of procrastination. Let your baby go!
When every line flows and I can find no more grammar errors,I am done.
Wholeheartedly, agreed. However, this has been known to take months. Sometimes years.
Ultimately, it's just a feeling. Sure, there're things you could endlessly tinker with, but you have to ask, is it really necessary?
Lyx
Oh, it's also a good indication that you're close to done when your eyeballs start to bleed and you can quote your novel by memory.
I agree.
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