If you haven't joined a critique group already, now would be the perfect time to find one. Having someone read and proof your work before you send it out to an editor is a must. Not only will you learn from reading and critiquing another person's work, your work will receive a cold read from a peer.

After all, few writers are immune to at least some typos and grammatical mishaps. Having a fresh pair of eyes read your work can catch things you may have missed. (For more information on critique groups, see Chapter 6.)

A critique group can help identify the typos in your romance novel before you ship it off to an agent or editor. Good thing, too, since a manuscript with too many typos and grammar errors will earn a quick rejection. Editors seldom expect perfect copy, but a manuscript filled with too many errors is a sign of sloppy work. If a writer can't get the basics of writing down, an editor is likely to assume the writer's storytelling talent is just as weak and stop reading.

Typos and grammatical mistakes aren't the only things a critique partner can shed light on. Typically, writers fall in love with their characters. And just like in real love, when you first find that perfect person who makes your heart beat faster, you don't see your new love's less-than-appealing characteristics. So, as you create your characters, you may be blind to their flaws. And these negative features can prevent your characters from standing up to hero status.

Yes, it's a must that your characters have flaws, but the reader must fall in love with the character before his negative traits are too apparent. A critique partner can tell you if they are or aren't falling in love with your hero and heroine as fast you would like.

Another blinded-by-love piece of advice: Don't expect someone who thinks you are perfect or someone who would never tell you if you weren't to offer a valid critique. Honesty may hurt at times, but it will hurt more coming from an editor than someone trying to help you improve your manuscript.