Wendy, I'm an epic word rearranger. I do believe more effective language can help deliver the story. But it doesn't change the story, and that's what these pros are looking for: a story that pulls you in and won't let go. If you have that, submit. You'll have plenty of time for those little tweaks later.

Take the plunge, Janet! If need be, you can reassess along the way. Godspeed!

Good luck, Celia! When you return to it, instead of thinking about being hard on yourself, think about trusting your gut instincts instead. Your inner reader knows a lot more than your craft mind does. It's been working longer!

So glad to hear that, Shirley. Happy revising!

Barb,

Staying with it and being kind to yourself (putting away the tools of self-destruction) is the ticket. Whereas being discriminating (critical about the words on the page and the story) is standard in editing and revising, every moment in regret or SELF-criticism comes at a cost which is that at least ONE moment of future work is lost.

And then comes the hard part. Put it away...long enough to not remember the problems and how you solved them. Going back, I find it is like I'm reading someone else's work. Things that then stick out need to be polished. Funny, for me. The first sentence takes the longest look and patience.

Write on cheerfully.