Leonardo da Vinci said, "Art is never finished, it's only abandoned." Is this true for writing a book?

Of course, the point is well taken, but if you're writing a novel and want it to be published there has to be a point where you feel confident you've completed the best story possible. So, how do you know when it's time to stop editing and look for a publisher or agent?

For me, it's the point where the changes I make are not improving the work. It's when I rework a sentence or an idea, and - when I read it over - I do not like it better than the original. This is the time when I feel I've 'finished' my part of the process.

It's helpful for anyone working on a project, especially a creative one like writing, to set goals for finishing and general guidelines for when to consider it complete. If you find yourself holding onto a novel or any work of 'art' far longer than you imagined, you may want to turn to a professional in the field for help. For writing a book this would be an editor, writing coach, publisher, or agent.

When you send your book to an editor or writing coach, they can suggest where work is still needed. If you send your story to a publisher or agent and are fortunate enough to get feedback (if not an offer to publish) their suggestions are often extremely helpful; work on what they say and resubmit. These external sources, like a deadline, can help you finish!