Today my manuscript will go to four readers who will - hopefully - mark in red everything they both love and hate about it. It's amazing how quickly my emotions have changed with this project. Last Saturday I finished my last full self edit. I've taken it as far as it can go by myself. It was quite an accomplishment and I felt like I'd taken a giant step toward publication. It was a good story and I'd done well.
Fast forward to today...
Now I'm wondering if I should just keep it a while longer and play with it a little before anyone reads it. It's probably not ready to be seen by any one yet. I feel a little sick.
All part of the process, or so I've been reading. Putting a manuscript out there for anyone to read feels a little like shucking off your clothes and walking naked down main street. I've never actually done that - I'm just sayin'...
I think a huge part of this writing journey for me will be trying to remain teachable and humble and open to the suggestions of others who know so much more than I do.
I want their honest feedback.
Yes I do. Wait. Maybe not. No, I really do. I think. Yes. Pretty sure, I mean, definitely positive that I might be almost ready.
Get the picture? Have you ever felt that way about a new venture? There's something about pushing yourself to leave your comfort zone that is both exhilarating and terrifying.
Will I survive? Of course.
Will I be changed by the experience? I hope so. You see, for me this is the next step in the fulfillment of a dream, one that I believe God has placed in my heart. How can anyone chase a dream and not be changed by it?
God uses the people around us to sharpen us, encourage and teach us. Those people come in all shapes and sizes. For me right now, those people are my BETA readers and I'm hoping that I will learn much from them.
I pray that God will use them to refine me and the story he has put on my heart.
Have you stepped out of your comfort zone lately?
I'm praying for you.
Sherri
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