Many of you have probably heard the Harry Truman quote, "Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction." I love this quote because it reminds us to do.
Sometimes we writers spend too much time on the sidelines, gathering information. That's great for building a strong background in writing and honing our skills, but at some point we need to stop thinking about what we should do and actually do it.
Does this sound familiar to you?
- I'll read one more craft book before I actually start writing my book.
- I can't move on to the next chapter of draft one until the opening fifty pages are perfect.
- I must attend one more conference/workshop/schmooze before I'll submit my manuscript.
- My manuscript is ready to go, but I'm waiting for the perfect time before I query.
- I've queried 20 agents without an offer of representation, so I'm tabling this manuscript.
- I'd like to indie publish, but I must sign up X number of people to my newsletter and X number of people to my Facebook page before I take that leap.
- I can't write the next story until this manuscript is sold.
Sometimes we wait on the sidelines because of fear. Believe me, I get it. I'm fearful as heck. But if we wait around for the publishing/agent search/indie climate to be perfect, we'll be frozen with inaction. It's better to get out there, make mistakes, fall on our faces, and get back up. At least then we're doing something.
Let's not wait for perfect inaction. Let's take imperfect action.
Do you wait for the perfect climate before taking action? Are you sometimes frozen with fear? How do you press forward?