I've been writing and editing The Wielder for almost five years now and since it isn't sold yet, I've probably got more to do.
However...
I just finished a very big edit that might have done the trick (hopefully we will find out this summer!) Basically, in the last month I tossed out half of the book and rewrote it. I changed two character names, three plot lines, and tossed out half of the end.
Whew!
The plus side: I LOVE IT!!!!! I think I may finally have hit on just the right characters, plots, and wrapped it up with the perfect ending.
I've said many times before this that I was sure I had it right, but there's a big difference this time. Before I welcomed criticism--now, it's a book I'm willing to defend. (That's not to say I won't listen to critiques, but I would fight any serious changes)
We'll see, of course. There's no knowing until an editor calls with an offer. Still, I'm sending this new draft to my agent tomorrow (after one final read-through) and we'll see what happens.
