For me beginning a draft is a way I definitely won't forget about a topic. Bc yes, I DO have " 27 unfinished drafts—telling ourselves we’ll get back to them." In fact, I'd started a series years and literally years ago titled "Explorers of the Yucatán." I came across those notes several weeks ago and have posted one of the articles and am madly revamping others. And for me at least, working as a journalist one learns to just get the job done. Of course, I had an editor, but it's good to write it and get it off one's desk, mind or computer! Good reminder here Maryan.
I have read bird by bird and the concept of shitty first draft has given me a lot of courage to start my own first draft. I am in the middle of a plateau, the moment when you question your whole story and if you should still give this draft a chance or move on to something else. I am in a thinking phase and although not particularly productive I can feel things simmering underneath hopefully getting me ready to pour myself into the story again and carry on. Thank you for these encouraging words. Perfectionism is a cage from which we should all break free.
You’re completely welcome! Thanks for reading. Here’s a trick I use when I can’t quite get hold of the things simmering underneath. Take a clean sheet of nice paper and a cool pen (or a keyboard if handwriting isn’t for you). Set a timer for ten minutes. Write absolutely anything that comes to your mind, no matter how weird, silly, or brilliant. After time rings, study the page and see what you need to get from it. Really. It works.
Ask my husband, I can usually blurt out 100 words even when no one wants to experience those words. Thanks for always being here, Vince. You gonna send me a guest post?
It’s so easy for me to edit a piece of work to death. Then – oh, look, a typo. Whenever I’m hit hard with perfectionism, I think of the Navajo Indians. They purposely make a mistake when they weave a blanket as a reminder that we aren’t perfect. However, the beautiful cat in the post photo is purrfect with two different colored eyes! 😻
100 imperfect words, eh? There are things I don't like about aging, but there are some tremendous upsides, chiefly, it's so wonderful to have a bit of realistic perspective on how things work, how growth happens, and the time and patience it requires. I was talking to a friend today about the vision I had for myself in 2010, figuring it would take me six months to achieve what ultimately took 16 years to see to fruition. The growth that feels satisfying is messy and slow, but when you grow that way you've eventually got an unshakable shade tree in your yard that will bear fruit for a long time. I wish I could have somehow communicated that truth to my younger self.
Maryan, Rick will tell you this fits me - and I’m committed to it being different in 2026!
“Perfectionism is fear and insecurity in disguise. Perfectionism seduces you to stay in your comfort zone, avoid the risk of drafting something less than brilliant.”
Thank you for shining a flashlight on it in a new way for me. 🙏
This is something I have to remind myself every day in my teaching, fitness journey, etc. For some reason, I rarely apply it to writing. I appreciate the reminder.
For me beginning a draft is a way I definitely won't forget about a topic. Bc yes, I DO have " 27 unfinished drafts—telling ourselves we’ll get back to them." In fact, I'd started a series years and literally years ago titled "Explorers of the Yucatán." I came across those notes several weeks ago and have posted one of the articles and am madly revamping others. And for me at least, working as a journalist one learns to just get the job done. Of course, I had an editor, but it's good to write it and get it off one's desk, mind or computer! Good reminder here Maryan.
I’d read that Yucatan book!
Maybe another one, Maryan. I’m still writing it and posting as chapters. Please do check out chapter 2, I’ll DM link to you.
Sending link on Chapter 2 in DM. Was title "Explorers of the Yucatán?" Thanks.
I have read bird by bird and the concept of shitty first draft has given me a lot of courage to start my own first draft. I am in the middle of a plateau, the moment when you question your whole story and if you should still give this draft a chance or move on to something else. I am in a thinking phase and although not particularly productive I can feel things simmering underneath hopefully getting me ready to pour myself into the story again and carry on. Thank you for these encouraging words. Perfectionism is a cage from which we should all break free.
You’re completely welcome! Thanks for reading. Here’s a trick I use when I can’t quite get hold of the things simmering underneath. Take a clean sheet of nice paper and a cool pen (or a keyboard if handwriting isn’t for you). Set a timer for ten minutes. Write absolutely anything that comes to your mind, no matter how weird, silly, or brilliant. After time rings, study the page and see what you need to get from it. Really. It works.
Thank you so much! Will try it!
100% agree with this, great article. You reminded me of this quote, so thought I’d share
“I'm writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.”
―Shannon Hale
Wow! Shannon nailed me to perfection! Thanks for the quote and for participating here!
It took me three months to get through those four books, but each one sucked me in. Great reads, but lots of juggling to get through them.
Definitely worth the effort, and certainly worth reading them all again with deeper focus.
You'd be surprised how fast you can blurt out one hundred words, especially when you just turn off the self-editing feature in your head!
Ask my husband, I can usually blurt out 100 words even when no one wants to experience those words. Thanks for always being here, Vince. You gonna send me a guest post?
Yep. Got a few drafts, and I have one in mind to share with you!
Getting a manuscript back from an editor not afraid to wield the strikethrough machine in Review mode will cure perfectionism pretty quickly.
Anne Lamott has a presence here on Substack btw. I think hers is a fairly newish account.
Yep, editors can be a real kick in the butt. I know, I am one hahahaha. Didn’t know about Anne, I’ll look her up.
It’s so easy for me to edit a piece of work to death. Then – oh, look, a typo. Whenever I’m hit hard with perfectionism, I think of the Navajo Indians. They purposely make a mistake when they weave a blanket as a reminder that we aren’t perfect. However, the beautiful cat in the post photo is purrfect with two different colored eyes! 😻
" They purposely make a mistake when they weave a blanket as a reminder that we aren’t perfect. "
That's what I do with my writing! Sometimes I do a lot of it, just to keep everyone on their toes!
100 imperfect words, eh? There are things I don't like about aging, but there are some tremendous upsides, chiefly, it's so wonderful to have a bit of realistic perspective on how things work, how growth happens, and the time and patience it requires. I was talking to a friend today about the vision I had for myself in 2010, figuring it would take me six months to achieve what ultimately took 16 years to see to fruition. The growth that feels satisfying is messy and slow, but when you grow that way you've eventually got an unshakable shade tree in your yard that will bear fruit for a long time. I wish I could have somehow communicated that truth to my younger self.
Maryan, Rick will tell you this fits me - and I’m committed to it being different in 2026!
“Perfectionism is fear and insecurity in disguise. Perfectionism seduces you to stay in your comfort zone, avoid the risk of drafting something less than brilliant.”
Thank you for shining a flashlight on it in a new way for me. 🙏
Time is such an odd commodity.
Yes. A com-oddity
How many of us have 27 unfinished drafts—telling ourselves we’ll get back to them
Guilty
I hear you, but LG, no one could EVER accuse you of slacking—or failing!
:)
Progress is not linear—not ever
This is something I have to remind myself every day in my teaching, fitness journey, etc. For some reason, I rarely apply it to writing. I appreciate the reminder.