Sender's Remorse

A few weeks ago, I sent in my picture book manuscript to Lee and Low's New Voices Award Writing Contest. As mentioned previously, this was my first venture in picture book writing.  While I am proud of myself for finishing it and sending it in, I love my story and my heart is in those pages, I now have sender's remorse.

I am told that it is par for the course for writers to have a flood of doubts about their writing. Here is part of my tsunami: Why did I send this in a month early? I should have waited until the last minute - divine inspiration might have struck to make it better! What makes me think I am ready to submit any picture book? This is my first try; I'm sure writers have submitted to this contest year after year before winning or receiving any positive response. Why did I think I could do this? My book is beginner's drivel, I'm sure, compared with the other entries. I should have waited until I got better at this.

I have to remind myself of two things:

and