Hello everyone, I am wondering what tips you might have for writer's perfectionism. It's not writer's block, really. It's just that I get too much in my head and begin to feel like my story sucks. I am sure you do this too- and then after writing like 5K words in 2 days, I stop. Then, a few weeks later, I do the same thing. I tend to write in chunks and I am tired of it. I want to write daily, but my perfectionism gets in the way. So, what are your tips for overcoming this? How do I stop writing in bursts and become more consistant? Thanks!
Your situation sounds like mine. I wish I had an answer. Although in some ways perfectionism can be treated like writer's block - just plough through it. I wonder how many of us are never wholly satisfied with what we have written. I'll be watching this thread to see what others suggest!
One way to tackle it would be the advice to just write as fast as you can, don't worry about mistakes or misspellings or typos, just spill it out, and then fix those things later in editing. Though generally perfectionistas refuse to write like that because it bothers them too much. I don't know, maybe the Hemingway method—drink before writing? I'm kidding, I'm kidding...
I wish I could do this! I pretty well agonize over every line as I am writing it. No, wait a minute, you have something here....
I remind myself there won't be anything to edit if I don't write it. So, if I write it, then I can go back and make it perfect. Or as perfect as one can.
Haha, I have plenty of booze. But more importantly, I think you're onto something. It does bother me when things aren't spelled correctly, or don't sound quite right. So maybe just try and ignore that and say I will fix it in the edit. It could would.
Curious: What is the problem with writing in bursts? One way you might be able to change the boom-bust habit is to put a time limit on your writing sessions, so when you stop, the ideas are still flowing, and you can pick up where you left off the next day.
Yeah, it actually seems pretty standard to me. You have to generate ideas for the next section, at a higher level of resolution, before you can write it, and maybe work out some problems too. Then you can write in a big burst. Then you face the next section, which so far is just outlined or worked out very roughly, and you need to flesh it out with ideas again before you're ready to write. At least that's how it works for me. I don't think of writing as just the time spent banging keys (that's just the typing part), it's also the time spent thinking and problem-solving. I think if you want to be more consistant with the typing part you'd need to have everything already worked out in pretty much detail (I don't care to work that way). To me writing is a very organic process with ups and downs—sine waves (but uneven ones), just like anything living goes through. Only machines are rock-steady and keep making optimal output quotas on a regular basis.
Yes, there is still work being done in the background, developing scenes and ideas, researching, finding new inspirations, composing the story. There are many elements that go into writing besides setting down words to the page. Some people do approach it like sports, though, where you must write every day to "condition" and keep reflexes sharp, but I don't consider that to be better or more productive. It's the sort of industrial, assembly line mentality that can dampen creative processes if a more fiery mind is shoehorned it, in my opinion. All this is to say: It's okay to not write for a few weeks! Spend some time rebalancing and reflecting on what you've written. If that is how you naturally create, that's fine. Get to know your pattern and work with it instead of against it. That has been my global solution to this sort of perfectionism.
Well, I feel like I SHOULD be more productive. But I guess you're right. There is nothing wrong with writing in bursts. I have tried that, but I know if I put it off, the ideas fizzle. (Somewhat.)
You nailed how I write. I tend to over-think and let things stew before I put them on paper. If writing is thinking and problem solving, then I do that SO MUCH. And thank you so much for your kind words. It makes me feel better that I am not the only one who writes in waves. Because I have written over 10K in one day and then, leave it for a bit.
YES! YOU NAILED IT! People do treat writing like a sport. Which is actually annoying. Because writing isn't like that and thanks for pointing that out. I appreciate that you say that being overly like a machine is bad. It makes me feel better and thanks. I really appreciate your words.
Maybe when you find yourself starting to over-think or overwork ideas it's time to stop outlining or plotting or whatever it is you're doing and get to the actual writing. Though of course, you might be indulging in over-thinking well before it's time for the actual writing. One thing that helps keep me from getting too much in my head is to get outside and get some exercise every day if possible. If I spend day after day cooped up inside or just sitting looking at screens I get totally lost in my head and disconnected from physical reality. Huh—writing that just made me connect it up with showing and telling—it can be too easy to disconnect from concrete physical reality and get lost in narration-voice (telling) unless you keep yourself physically grounded and moving around doing things. And maybe it isn't just exercise that helps get you out of your head, but actual contact with and manipulation of real objects. Picking things up and moving them around, walking, etc. Especially outside of the house. Get some air and some sun when possible. Interact with the physical world around you. A project that's purely physical in nature, like some yard work or clearing a trail in the woods or something.
This is a good point. My ability to think/problem-solve/create turns to mush if I don't get out and move around (get some blood flow). Sometimes the best ideas come while doing something physical.
In my experience, overcoming perfectionism is a personal journey that requires introspection and self-compassion. For me, it involved embracing the idea that mistakes are not only acceptable but crucial for learning and improvement. “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, art is knowing which ones to keep.” (Attributed variously) Every masterpiece was once a work-in-progress, shaped by trial, error, and the courage to persevere.
