How do you know when you're done?

Hello there again!

This week I thought I'd answer a question that I was once asked, (this is slightly paraphrased as I don't remember the exact words) "How do you know when you're done with your book, as a self-published author?"

Are you ready for this one? I never do. 

Didn't see that coming? Well, I'm afraid it's true. 

I've talked about my writing process several times, over the course of many posts, but I don't think I've ever actually said this in as many words before. I'm never fully confident in my books being finished, and quite honestly, it would be very easy to edit myself (and my work) into oblivion. 

Now, with that out of the way, I can actually fill in a few ways I prepare my book to be "finished" and ways I know when it's almost ready to go out into the world. 

1. I've already finished all my Beta edits.

Pretty obvious I know, and of course, it does leave the question of when I know it's ready to go out to Betas, but I do have an answer for that one. I once read that you should send out the last draft that you are really willing to change out to your Betas, (IE, if you are already so committed to what you've already written, that you are unwilling to make more than a few, very small changes, you've waited too long.) Another way to tell is by what you are editing; if all the edits you are making are relatively simple, such as basic phrasing, or grammar, rather than anything structural, you're probably pretty close to sending it out.

2. I'm either only making little, inconsequential changes in my edits OR changing things just to change them.

Two total opposites here, but that said, both are equally telling. If you find that your editing is either going the way of changing minutia, (such as shifting the same comma five hundred times) or huge structural changes, that don't actually change anything for the better, it's likely your book is pretty close to done.

3. It just feels done.

This one can be a little dangerous, and that's why I put it last. DO NOT use this as the primary indicator to publish your book. Chasing feelings and the muse can be incredibly tempting as a writer, but trust me, the muse is a very elusive little creature, and its passions change by the day. But, that said, you are the author of this book, and some part of you is probably just waiting to tell you when the book is done, and, if you're careful, you can learn to listen to that. 

I said at the beginning of this post, that I never really know when my book is done, and that is true because I'm never entirely comfortable saying that, with some work, it couldn't be improved in some way or another. But, at the end of the day, it is my book, and there comes a moment as a writer when I have to trust that I've done enough and hit the button, and that moment will show itself, one way or the other. 

That's about it for me this week, how do you know when it's time to lay down your pen? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day, and keep writing!