Scattered

In preparing myself to attempt to enter the world of publishing, I've been having trouble focusing on my writing. In other words, I haven't yet finished that second novel I set out to finish a few months ago. I love the story. I love the characters. I love their emotional journeys. But what I don't really have is a unifying theme, or a real plot (well, not really. Maybe I do if I could figure out how to end it).

Okay, so I'll set that one aside for the moment and fiddle with the first one, once again. Dive into the action. Cut out useless narrative. Tighten, tighten, tighten. And just when I think I've got it, I read and reread, and--all of a sudden I hate it, my sentences stink, and I'm left wondering, who the heck do I think I am, thinking I can write a novel and be published? Who the hell am I kidding?

Does every writer go through this? A recent test by my peers left me in the shredder. But I'm going to be shredded sooner or later, so why not now?

Sigh. I guess I need some Beta Readers. Any volunteers from the masses?