Beginners: Trust your inner editor
As writers, we tend to be perfectionists but sometimes, you’ve just got to let it go, says Adrian Magson
There’s nothing more likely to put a serious dent in your day than spotting a typo… after you’ve sent off your pristine submission letter and manuscript to an agent or editor. Even after all the re-reads and edits, endless scans to spot any errant commas or bloopers, you missed the blighter. And there it sits, taunting you with a big, fat grin on its face.
I know the feeling, dear reader; been there, felt the shame wash over me like a wave of hot tar and gone for a lie-down in a dark corner until the feeling has passed.
The fact is, it happens and you do get over it. It’s something you learn to watch out for and correct at the earliest opportunity. All you can do is hope the editor or agent isn’t so callous that they’ll dismisses the manuscript out of hand.