What Writing Taught Me About Letting Go of Perfection

What does perfection mean within the writing world? Good grammar? Excellent storytelling?

We look to the 'greats' for guidance on how to lead our story to success, but there's no true definition of perfection when it comes to words. Perfection isn't the point.

Here are some things I've learned about letting go of perfection, and why it can improve your writing.

Two arms resting on a table. One is holding a mug of coffee, while the other is actively writing in a journal.

Perfectionism can kill your writing momentum

It is the same reason why most writers advise against editing as you go. When you become worried about a sentence's flow and grammar, you are forced to go backward to fix it. This can kill your momentum, or encourage you not to write at all.

I've found that the momentum is more important than perfection. Getting the writing down on paper, google doc, or whatever format you use is the most important part of the process. Those drafts can be developed later. An empty page cannot!

Your mistakes can lead to mastery

I've had too many moments where I've read my old work and cringed. Trust me, it's part of the process, and an important one at that. Mistakes are lessons we can learn from.

I notice patterns, and can hone in on my weaknesses. For example, I tend to repeat verbs when I write. I use 'and' way too much, and my characters can sometimes feel flat.

It's important to make mistakes because they teach you what to work on for the future! This is truly how you can improve in the long run.

Imperfection or authenticity?

If you're trying to replicate writing that already exists, you are throwing aside the authenticity and personality in your writing. Copy and pasting someone else's style means you're not giving yourself the chance to develop.

My true voice flourishes when I allow my voice to emerge. Sure, I make mistakes and repeat some words alot, but the writing is authentically me! I can recognize my writing in a stack of books because it's my blood, sweat, and tears on the page. I also have many people tell me they read me for my honesty and style, not because my writing is perfect.

Editing is where perfection (aka revision) can thrive

My favorite part of the process by far is where I can watch my stories come to life. It's where I'm allowed to judge my work from someone else's eyes. The best part? The groundwork is already there.

It takes a lot of cutting and sanding, but it's worthwhile. You can admire your words, pick out what works best, and polish everything down.

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TLDR: Embrace the chaos because you can refine it later.

Thank you all for reading! Happy writing and have a great Saturday! <3