How doI improve my story?

My story is finished, I've sent in letters awaiting responses, but until then how do I improve my story? I'm asking because there's parts in it that people have read and given different opinons. For instance my wife thinks that at certain parts I use the words "but" and "and" too much while she loves others parts. But another has no problem with the "but" "and" parts but thinks the parts my wife loves are silly, lol. There's different opinons, so what do I do for now? Could I find an editor to help me? And where do I do that?

I'm no professional writer, I'm just some guy writing because I find it fun to create fantasy stories. My writing I'm sure does have too many unessecary words, probaly the order of sentences could be better, etc., but i don't know how to do it because as of now I'm pleased with it. Which is why I'd like an editor to read it and help me to make it better. But how do I find one?

maestrowork said:

Why have you sent out queries if you don't think your story is in its best form yet?

It's a good thing to go through an editing process -- whether you do it yourself or use some outside help. There are editing services but they don't come cheap. Or you can try to ask a friend who doesn't mind doing editing for you.

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Oh no I've gone over it many times. I've gotten rid of things, paragraphs, even a chapter that I didn't think fit. I feel I have it as best as I can, so I sent it out. I'm just thinking now that I'm sure I could make it better.

Shadow_Ferret said:

Welcome to the club. That's all any of us were (and some of us still are) until we make that first sale.

Until then just read and reread your story. The more familiar you become with it, the more you'll see where it clunks and where is purrs.

If you think it has too many buts or ands, do a search and see how to rewrite those sentences. That's what I did. I have a big ole but problem, but the search feature is our friend.

But as Maestro asked, why did you send out queries if it wasn't done?

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lol, , it is done, I'm just being a worry wart I guess, and I always think I could make it better, that's all. Thanks for the help though.

JamieFord said:

You need some unbiased feedback. You can hire a professional editor (google editing services, you'll find a bunch). But it's cheaper to join a local writers group, or a critique group. Have someone read the first few chapters. If the manuscript has problems, they'll appear early and often. Just the fact that you're asking means you probably know it needs work. If it doesn't feel right when you read it aloud, go back and work on it. You're probably closer than you think.

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I have OCD and it effects me in everything

I find that the "buts" (it sounds funny saying that) appear alot in fight scenes. See there's alot of fighting in my story, one on one fighting, something I have to work on. But I'm probaly going to write the first chapter in the SYW thread, I just hope they're gentle with me