I’ve always tended toward writing perfectionism. It has its advantages! My final drafts are refined, confidently telling enough of my story. Of course, perfectionism also has its disavantages. I feel those when I stare at the same scene for the sixth time, wondering if the soul has been wrung out of it.
What’s a perfectionist writer to do? Why, make a list, of course!
Becoming Perfectly Imperfect
Pro: Rewriting a scene can make my characters’ emotions feel more authentic and intense, like they’re living, breathing individuals. | Con: Sometimes, my endless tinkering turns them into emotional rollercoasters, leaving readers feeling seasick. |
Pro: Polishing dialogue can make my characters sound like they’ve stepped right out of a classic film. | Con: Then again, too much polish might leave them sounding like cheesy soap opera stars (no shade). |
Pro: Perfecting the setting can transport readers straight into the heart of a beautiful, romantic world. | Con: Or, obsessing over every detail could make the setting feel more like a stage backdrop than a living, breathing place. |
Pro: Fine-tuning the pacing ensures that the romantic tension between my characters builds to a satisfying crescendo. | Con: Except when I overanalyze it to the point where the pacing starts to resemble a game of musical chairs. |
Pro: Rewriting can help me discover new plot twists and turns that keep my readers on the edge of their seats. | Con: But I might also end up with a tangled mess of a plot that’s harder to unravel than a ball of yarn after a kitten party. |
Pro: Perfecting my prose can make my writing sing like a finely-tuned orchestra. | Con: Or it could turn it into an overproduced pop song that leaves readers craving something raw and real (again, no shade). |
Pro: Diving deep into my characters’ motivations can help me create more complex, multidimensional individuals. | Con: That is until I overthink it so much that they start to feel like they’re trapped in a never-ending therapy session. |
Pro: Rewriting allows me to tie up all those pesky loose ends and plot holes. | Con: But sometimes, I get so fixated on those loose ends that I unravel the entire story in the process. |
Pro: Refining my love scenes can make them sizzle with passion and intimacy. | Con: However, obsessing over every touch and glance can leave them feeling more clinical than passionate. |
Pro: Ultimately, my perfectionist tendencies drive me to create the best romance novel I possibly can. | Con: But when I get too caught up in the pursuit of perfection, I risk losing sight of the messy, imperfect beauty of love itself. |
There’s a real joy in reading something I wrote and feeling the good lines land on my heart with a thud. Is it perfectionism to want every line to thud? Yes, and it’s not a good idea either. I’m learning to step away from the keyboard and let some lines just support the others.