Would you believe I’m starting my “finished” manuscript over again? You’d think I’d remember how much time and work the current version has taken and would be happy to finally turn my back on it in favour of moving ahead with something new. But no, I’m revisiting it, captivated by the idea that using a first person approach could make it better.
I want my writing to be the best I am capable of producing but how long do I keep tweaking and trying? There are warnings about overworking a piece. Artists know the problem, fussing with an oil painting until suddenly the colours become “muddy” and the canvas must be scraped clean for a fresh start. So when do you stop? The best advice I’ve heard is, “When you’re done.” That may sound trite, but I really do believe a good author — like a good artist — has a sense of what is working and what isn’t. When changes become inconsequential and no longer improve the magic that has been developing, it’s time to back off.
The guidance of a knowledgeable agent or editor is invaluable, but not all of us have that available. Ultimately we have to trust the same instinct that brought forth the original dream.
That instinct is telling me to begin again, to give this new approach a try and see how it feels. I’ll let you know if I feel the magic.
Posted by Carol J. Garvin 
