Last night I finished editing the first 14 pages of my manuscript and sent off the first ten to Andrea Graham of www.povbootcamp.com. Since setting up her website, she offered a free critique to anyone who found a typo. I found one!

Now that my manuscript is in her hands, I’m experiencing a bout of dread. What if she finds so many mistakes with my grammar, spelling, story line and characters she emails me back with "Don’t quit your day job. In fact, never write another word with the intent of public consumption."

I know she won’t, but I can’t help but think it. In the end I’ll know where I need to improve, and that’s something difficult to put a price on. If I like what she does, I may hire her to do the rest. If I’m to garner the positive attention of an editor or publisher, my book needs to shine. I’ve taken my manuscript as far as I can, and I could use an extra set of professional eyes to help me polish it further.

In the meantime, I’ll finish one of my other WIPs. I decided not to continue editing my first novel, because Andrea will likely have suggestions I can apply to the rest. I don’t want to waste my time.

I will also be reading Cathy Bryant’s new series on writing emotion. She hopes writers and readers alike will give their thoughts and include examples of what makes — as Randy Ingermanson likes to phrase it —  a powerful emotional experience. I hope you’ll participate as well.