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Unless you are extraordinarily blessed, you probably are stronger as a writer in some areas than in others. A professional editor should not only point out your strengths and challenges, but also should help you triumph over your challenges by showing you how to expand your own strengths and talents into areas of the book that need them.
The answer is this: It is entirely up to you.
If you've taken your book as far as you can take it—and either you're stuck, or you just need a fresh pair of eyes--then you might consider finding an editor.
Taking your book as far as you can take it means different things to different authors.
It could mean you've written a first chapter and an outline and you want feedback before you go any further. Or it can mean you've written several drafts of an entire book or proposal. Only you can say if you've taken it as far as you can go for now.
Not knowing is supposed to be a bad thing. However, with storytelling, not knowing can be the best thing that ever happened to you.
Because if you surrender to the "I don't know," then anything can happen.
Suddenly, you're in a magical world of endless possibilities.
You are a kid in a playground. A park. A candy shop. A toy store. You're in a place where you can have anything you want, be anything you want, go anywhere you want, travel to any time you want. It's one big game of pretend. No limitations.
HOW DO YOU DO IT? HOW DO YOU GET PAST THAT BLOCKED, SCARY PLACE?
Rule number one: Don't freak out.
It'll just waste your time and make you feel worse. Know that whatever you are going through is temporary. Tell yourself that you WILL get yourself out of that blocked place. Tell yourself you have nothing to lose by trying the methods in this post.
Rule number two: Step away from the vehicle.
Stop trying to turn over that engine in your head. It's flooded with too much analytical, know-it-all thinking. The know-it-all is not your friend. The know-it-all is not going to get that sentence, that page, that chapter written. Because you are going to step into the land of "I don't know." Willingly!
Rule number three: Decide that you are in the wonderful land of "I don't know," where magical answers appear without any effort.
If you're saying to yourself, "yeah, right," with a big dose of sarcasm, tell that naysayer voice inside to take a hike. Tell yourself that it costs you nothing to believe in the magic of "I don't know." Go ahead, just give it a try. Allow for the possibility. Suspend disbelief. You don't have to tell anyone. And what do you have to lose?
THE SEVEN ELEMENTS OF A COMPELLING STORY
1. WHAT DOES YOUR CHARACTER WANT? (a/k/a, THE GOAL)
Some examples of goals:
2. WHAT'S STOPPING HIM/HER FROM GETTING IT? (a/k/a CONFLICT):
3. WHY SHOULD YOUR READERS CARE ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER'S STRUGGLE? (a/k/a SYMPATHY)
