Editing

When I finish a manuscript, I edit.  Edit again.  Then, I edit some more.  No matter how many times I read something I've written, I can always think of a way to change it.  I know you're supposed to polish your work before submitting it and I agree.  But...when do you finally step back from it and say enough is enough?  As I said, I could always think of changes, but does that mean I'm making it better?  Not necessarily.

We are our own worst critics.  It's never good enough.  It could always be better.  We have trouble seeing our own work objectively.  I have a handful of readers who I trust to tell me the truth about my writing.  I trust they will pick up on small mistakes here and there but overall, I want to know they enjoyed it.  I want to know they didn't necessarily care if I put form instead of from because they were so into my story they didn't even notice.  In my eyes, that's the true measure.  I'll keep editing until my eyes cross, but at some point, you do have to step back.  Trust you've given it all you've got and let it be.