Friday, August 16, 2013

A Thought Bound To Shake Our Inner Perfectionist


There's something to be said about perfect - whether something is or it's something we strive to be or try to create. This is reinforced by the expectations put on us writers by the publishing industry: our manuscripts need to be spotless, hole-less, shiny, and ... perfect.

This is understandable. We do want a good looking manuscript that reads well enough to carry readers to its conclusion. On top of that, agents and publishers have A LOT to do, so they will clearly give their attention to something that's easy on the eyes and won't give them a headache. It has to interest them, too. Since I'm a sci-fi and fantasy guy, I don't usually pick up historical romances and biographies.

There's a problem with this insistence on perfection. I've had the privilege of reading a few unpublished manuscripts in the last few years. I liked the ideas in them, but the presentation was hard to get through. These books are now in stores or awaiting a release date. I'm sure we've all had a moment when we picked up something in a book store, read some of it, and wondered how the book ever got published in the first place. How is this possible? How did these folks bypass the perfect manuscript screening process? I know I've written books in the past with equal presentation problems. You can't buy them, though. They're still collecting virtual dust in my hard drive.

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful about the success of these authors and wish them more deals and success. I've reflected on, without trying to compare, what made their journey different from mine and realized something - these guys weren't trying to be perfect. They knew their limitations and went with them anyway, while I couldn't let go until every line, every word, was right. This makes for slow writing.

Then it hit me as I browsed Facebook, and I wish I could give credit to the friend who posted the words that inspired my thought, but it's since been lost.  So here's my version of what was said:

You can never be perfect, but you can be excellent

In other words, instead of trying to write a perfect book, focus on writing an excellent book. It may have flaws, but so what? If the story is good, your heart truly invested in it, that will be far more interesting than perfect grammar and punctuation. As my personal experience dictates, perfect grammar and punctuation isn't necessary to land a book deal. Focus on being clean and clear and excellent.

This isn't the rule, just my thoughts on the matter. The problem with this perfect mindset is that it's an unattainable goal. When we can't reach a goal, we feel like failures. To prevent feeling like failures, we procrastinate. When we procrastinate, we don't reach our goal.

Lather, rinse, repeat. Let's stop this vicious cycle, I say.

Go out there and be excellent, my friends.

And have an excellent weekend.

What do you think about this topic? Have you been in a perfectionist rut? What does it mean to be excellent to you?

I'm David, and these bacon pancakes are ... excellent!


29 comments:

  1. That's right. Only one was perfect and we aren't Him. Strive for excellence, not perfection.

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  2. Perfection is impossible. Excellence isn't. Which is basically just me paraphrasing what you just said :). It's something I have to keep reminding myself of, though.

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  3. Important point, David. The Amish don't try. When women are weaving or sewing, they purposely include a flaw because only Christ is perfect.

    And let's be real, too. What you think is perfect, someone else may not. So who's idea of perfection should we strive to live up to?

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  4. Great inspiration-- thanks for sharing!

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  5. People like to read what they like to read. To us, the plot may seem full of plot holes, formulaic, delivered in a way we would never deliver it ... but it's what somebody else wants to read.

    If there are enough somebody elses who like to read that sort of thing, you've got a best seller on your hands.

    Check out this spoof of Dan Brown (which is not far off from his actual writing) and consider that Inferno is still a raging bestseller. His work may not be perfect, but he's telling stories people want to read: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10049454/Dont-make-fun-of-renowned-Dan-Brown.html#article

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  6. I used to follow a blogger who insisted that if you wanted an agent to even consider you, you needed everything to be perfect, down to the dash or semicolon or page number. I've seen plenty of writers who I know didn't have perfect manuscripts get agents and book deals since then. Needless to say, I don't follow that blogger anymore. Like you said, it's the idea and the ability to tell (and sell) that idea that matters.

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  7. I am guilty of the perfectionist mindset myself. My brother is nearly perfect and everything he does is always perfect, so when I told him I wrote a book, he reminded me just how perfect it needs to be if I want it published. Your post however is more in line with how I feel and what I am thinking. I agree with you by saying that trying to make absolutely everything perfect makes you procrastinate and I am doing plenty of that right now. But I feel like I have done everything I could to make it as perfect as possible. Now I just have to take that leap and query it. Thank you for cheering me up with this post. These words were exactly what I needed to hear.

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  8. I know myself, I'll never be perfect. But I can strive to be the best me I can.

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  9. There's a different between perfection and growth and I think people (mostly me) confuse them.

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  10. Perfect grammar makes for a boring book, anyway. Excellence is a much better goal.

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  11. I really like this and how it focuses on the positive in our efforts. Focus not on our lack of perfection (because no writing is, really) but strive to be excellent.

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  12. Go bacon pancakes! Yes perfection is impossible but doing your best to make something excellent is a gift we need to nourish. Plus I'm no grammar expert and I'm not going to let that stop me. You can always get help with the technicalities, what you must get right is the story. A boring or disjointed story will kill any book.

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  13. Thanks for these words David. I think that's what holds me back a little, striving for the impossible.
    I will no longer aim for perfection, but excellence instead.

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  14. PREACH! I needed to hear this today, David, so thank you! I got ninja'd twice at WOC this year so I've been revising like mad before I submit, and going crazy with trying to make the book perfect. I'll just have to accept that it can never be perfect (for me or anyone else), just as good as I can make it... and that's the way it should be.

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  15. Exactly this! I try to remind myself of this when I steer too close to "Perfectionists Anonymous" territory. ;)

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  16. Yes, I think I suffer from Perfectionism! I hate it when I make a mistake. Guess what, you are being BLITZed! Enjoy!

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  17. I think that's my problem too. I want things perfect and I never reach conclusion because they are never perfect. I do procrastinate a lot. I'll keep your words in mind and finish what I've started.
    I still keep my talons crossed for you to get good news on your book. A blitz dragon hug!

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  18. This is very good advice, and very inspiring. If we are the best we can be, that's all that matters.

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  19. I think your definition of perfection changes over time too. Mine has.

    David--chin up, man. Here's some blitz cheese to keep you chugging over the next couple weeks/months, whatever it takes. We've got your back. ;)

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  20. Hello, David! I'm sorry to hear that there have been complications with your novel's publication. Writing can be a tough, uncertain business. It doesn't make it any easier if there are capricious editors and publishers at the helm. Cheering you on and wishing you all the best with your novel!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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    1. PS) And I LOVE the idea of striving for excellence instead of perfection. Perfection is unattainable, especially with writing because it's so subjective. Excellence is certainly possible!

      Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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  21. Excellent point! Excellence is a great thing to achieve! Sending good vibes your way for the publication problems. Best of luck getting things figured out!

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  22. David- Sorry to hear about the complications. Keep your head up. You are being blitzed! We are all here to show you our support and let you know you are not alone. :)
    ~Summer

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  23. Hi David!! You are being blitzed!! Your being supported and best wishes to you! Sandy

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  24. Sorry about the book, but hey things may turn around. Wishing you all the luck, and you have been blitzed.

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  25. I think you're right, we should all be striving for excellence realizing that perfection can never come.

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  26. Happy Blitz day. I hope everything works out with your book. Ditto on all of the excellent points so far. :)

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  27. I think, it's impossible to be perfect - but we can try to get as close to it as possible. We need an ideal (perfection) to get to the practical (excellent).

    Destination Infinity

    Your Blog has been BLITZED :)

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  28. Great sentiment David... I hope you come back to your blog soon as it seems you have good insight to share. The publisher of my first book basically told me not to try to be perfect the first time around. She called it getting out that 'first shitty draft'. Then go back and, during the editing phase, you can 'perfect' it or, as you say, 'be excellent'! Which I do believe is more accurate.

    Keep on writing!
    Anne :)

    P.S. Enjoy being blitzed!

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