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I recently heard a message about expecting perfection. Perhaps we strive for the perfect Christmas, with flawless family photos and a Martha-Stewart-worthy table setting. Or maybe it's the perfect garden (*sigh*-- hubby and I are unintentional tree killers), or even the perfect hair day (*snort* -- don't get me started).
As writers, we're often searching for the perfect word. And when we find it? Euphoria. It's so worth the effort.
I think chasing perfection is a good thing, as long as it doesn't stop forward movement. Searching for the perfect word is great, as long as it doesn't prevent us from writing the next word, and then the next paragraph. And when editing an entire manuscript, I think chasing perfection works in our favor, as long as the fear of imperfection doesn't paralyze us.
I recently read a brand new book. It was traditionally published by a big house, and hot off the presses. Guess what? I found two typos. No matter how many eyes scanned that book, and no matter how skilled the editors were, the book was not perfect. No book ever will be.
So here's my attitude: chase perfection, but don't be stymied by it. Realize that no matter what, it will never, ever, EVER be perfect. We can't catch something that doesn't exist.
What's your view on chasing perfection? Are you sometimes paralyzed by fear of imperfection? How do you handle it?
There are mistakes in every book.
ReplyDeleteI'm a perfectionist and sometimes it slows down progress.
It's good to chase perfection--it will make your book as good as it can be--but you can't let yourself stress over not quite reaching it either. Especially since different people will have differing ideas about what perfection is. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIn the moment, it's perfect. In the next moment, it may not be. Chasing leads to chasing, which if in the right direction can help. I'll journey on with perfection a possible destination, but not the only one.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post! And so true. I like to be a perfectionist, well not sure I like it as much as I can't stop fidgeting to get things perfect, and yet I'm not really. There are always little mistakes to be found anywhere. The worst thing for me is it does stop me from moving forward and I'm working on that right now. Thanks for the reminder, cause I easily forget o_O
ReplyDeleteI think searching for perfection makes it difficult for me to write in the first place. I usually just stare at the blank screen waiting for the words to be perfect in my head before I write them down. I could probably get a lot more done if I stopped worrying about it and just let the words flow.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a perfectionist; it's one of the traits of a Type A personality. But striving for perfection every time puts a lot of pressure on the perfectionist, and it can make it more difficult and stressful to get the work done.
ReplyDeleteI often see typos in other people's books. Like you said, a couple typos are okay. But on the other hand, when a book is full of typos (and I have seen several books like that), it can be distracting.
I am a perfectionist, it's hard sometimes but after getting hit by reality so many times I learned that there are things I just can't control and all I can do is relax.
ReplyDeleteGreat post... and yes, achieving perfection can drive us insane. No one is perfect, not even the big publishers:)
ReplyDeletePerfectionism is one of my bigger challenges. I really struggle with it! I like the idea of chasing it, but not letting it get in your way. But it's really hard to let it go!!! I really enjoyed your post, Julie!
ReplyDeleteWell stated Julie! Thanks for the inspiration. My perfectionism tends to get in my way. This is a good post for me to have found through being in the IWSG.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie. Worrying about not being 'good enough'--forget perfect--tends to stymie me. Still, I work on taking linear--though not necessarily consistent--steps in a forward direction toward the aspirations I've set myself. I'm so not where I want to be yet, but I AM moving from where I was. I work hard at being okay with that, vs. wasting energy on getting down on myself about it.
ReplyDeleteI still remember that first typo I found in a (then) Big Six novel--couldn't believe it was there. If even the big-name trad-publishers aren't perfect, guess I don't need to fret so much about it.
Great post!
This is probably why I haven't pushed myself to publish yet :) I don't think I expect perfection, but I'm learning so much, I always want better than I've got so far :)
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