When is a book finished? I’m afraid the answer is never. There is no such thing as a perfect book. Not from me, anyway. There is such a thing as book that can be only marginally improved. In my own case, I am usually done with a book because an editor says, “You’ve come to the deadline,” or “I think you are finished.” (I’ve disagreed with editors about that more than once.) Sometimes the book is done because—at the moment—I don’t know what else to do. Or, in all honesty, I can barely look at the book any more. Or I realize I’m only adding (or subtracting) commas.
But—a confession—I almost never read one of my published books unless I have to. The reason? Because I will always find something I could have done differently, presumably better. Most recently, when my just-published Sophia’s War came into my hands and I read the first published page (that I will do) I realized there was something I had not done which would have enhanced the story. Too late!
I suspect the two emotions most common with the receipt of your published book are elation … and regrets.
2 thoughts on “When is a book finished?”
You, sir, are a Godsend. Cannot thank you enough.
You are such a generous, loving author. And you are equally generous to those of us carving words.
Thank you!
Gillian
You are very kind. Word carver–I like that.
Avi