Many writers refer to their books as their children, so why not treat your manuscript like a child? 1. FOOD. A child must be fed and so must a manuscript. Food = words written. 2. PLAY. A child needs to play and so does a manuscript - or more precisely, its writer. Anyone who has read some of my posts about writing, knows I’m a planner, but I also advocate giving yourself the freedom to wander off that carefully-laid path occasionally. Remember, without that crucial question of ‘What if…’ nothing happens. 3. SLEEP. A child needs to sleep. So does your manuscript. Once you finish that first draft, let it sleep in a drawer. Time away is good. Think of it as recharging your batteries before the next round - just like those naps your toddler takes give you precious time to find your sanity. 4. FRIENDS. A child needs friends. So does your manuscript - but we call them beta/first readers and editors. 5. RULES. A child needs to know who’s boss - and it’s not them. Yes, it’s tr...