Five Strained Metaphors for Getting It Right from James W. Ziskin

How do you know when you’ve got it right?
As with everything else in my life, I don’t. I never know if I’ve got it right. 
Metaphor N. 1Your book is a recipe. Well, actually, it isn’t. But for the sake of this metaphor let’s say it is. You measure out the ingredients, prepare them with care, and, if you follow the directions to the letter, you can be reasonably certain the result will be great.
“If only I can avoid burning it, everything will turn out fine…”
Me writing a novel…
The only problem is I ...