Thanks for the reminder to take all if the steps, even though it's tempting to show off that baby too early!

Kris

It does! So glad you enjoyed the post.

I'm so glad it was helpful! While there is always a point at which we experience diminishing returns, that comes long after proper editing and re-writing, and it's especially important with the initial entry into the publishing world. Good luck! And may your muse be generous.

Most welcome, Lynette! Glad you liked it.

Thanks for the encouraging words, Jenny. You've nailed the situation. I try to remind myself that they are trying to help, but their "helpful" comments just kicked me off balance this week, Thanks to Piper's excellent post and your kind affirmation, I can dust myself off and move forward. Best wishes! 🙂

Here's hoping you are able to find a way to tell your sister and brother-in-law to butt out. I'm sure they're type-A people who feel that their interest in this project counts as support, but IMHO it sounds like too many cooks in the creative kitchen. I don't blame you at all for feeling a bit ragged over their input.

And this is a jewel! --> "until the sun reflecting off of it could drive airplanes off course"

I hope you continue to go at your own pace, polish your shiny jewel, and put it out when YOU are ready. 🙂

I thought the same thing, Lynette! These are universal steps (and really good ones). 🙂

I go through all of the steps you mention. I'm in the process of editing last year's NaNoWriMo project and am really happy that I stepped away from it for a while.

Distance helps!

My sister says I'm procrastinating due to perfectionism and, this week, my brother-in-law asked if I have tried setting a word count goal. I tried to explain that that doesn't really work when revising scenes and tightening writing. He responded by emailing me an article from a self-publishing company that proclaims a book can be written in four months.

I have an MFA in Creative Writing and have been studying the writing business, steps to traditional publication, how to write query letters. and so forth. I know I am doing what I need to do to get the manuscript ready for a professional edit, then a rewrite and the querying process, but my family's lack of understand and support has left my confidence battered. Your post has reassured me that I am on the right track. Thank you for that gift.