For years we'd owned a lilac bush in the backyard. We kept it groomed and trimmed each fall, yet it never bloomed. We couldn't figure out why.
Then, for a few summers we let things slide. We didn't get around to trimming the bush or some of the others. Also, the professionals wanted more than we could afford to get the job done.
A strange thing happened. A few summers ago, to our surprise, lilacs appeared on the bush.
Someone mentioned we hadn't had blooms before because we'd been trimming the bush incorrectly, at the wrong time of year. It appears the trimming should have been done earlier instead of in the Fall.
The same thing can happen with a manuscript. If you don't edit it correctly, it won't grow into its true potential and be published.
After you do your best to fix whatever errors you find in your manuscript, you're not done. It's amazing how the mind can fill in or change what's actually on a page. Don't ask me how - it's come kind of cruel magic trick.
Since it's difficult to be completely objective about your own work, before sending it out to a publisher for consideration, turn it over to one or more competent writers to check for errors, or, if it can be worked into the budget, a professional editor to do some careful pruning.
Then, instead of getting one of those envelopes containing your rejected manuscript, you'll get one with a publishing contract and your book will bloom like our lilac bush!
PS - I recommend http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com for editing tips from authors and editors in the know.
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
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