How do you decide a piece (or art project, or business proposal, or whatever it is you do) is ‘ready’?

Figuring out when things are ‘ready’ is something I struggle with a lot, especially because there are so many different levels of ‘ready.’ A piece can be ready to show to a friend, or ready to submit to a lit mag, or ready to be published to my Patreon, and all of those moments can feel different. But, when it comes to things like short stories and poems, I tend to have a really good feel for when it’s ‘ready’ for all of those stages. The thing I can’t seem to crack is my novel.

I’ve been working on this novel for six years now, which feels absolutely insane. It’s been a very slow and winding process, partly due to the pandemic and things like getting a stable income (achieved, yay!). For a long time, I kept thinking if I could just crank out one more draft, it would finally be ready to show people. Then a couple of months ago, I hit a horrible wall trying to review my novel into a third complete draft. I just couldn’t bear to look at it anymore. And I realized, I’d discovered a new ‘ready’ for myself. When I can’t bear to do any more editing because I’m so lost or so upset with the novel, it’s time to show it to someone. So that’s what I’m doing.

Is there a project you’re absolutely sick of, or that you can’t figure out how to move forward with? Maybe it’s time to share it with someone who’s opinion you trust, but who will also be gently with you. After all, sharing work is very vulnerable. But sometimes, you have to take the leap.

Love and gratitude.

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