The Purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.
As Alex says, let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
The awesome co-hosts are TB Markinson, Tamara Narayan, Shannon Lawrence, Stephanie Faris, and Eva E. Solar!
PERFECTIONISM
I've
been dealing with issues of perfection, and how far from perfect, I seem to
fall. It's something I, and many of you (be honest) strive for, and often to
our own detriment.
What I've decided is that perfection is a great goal to have, but one I'll never actually achieve.
BUT the journey toward it means learning, doing, listening, learning, accepting, and above all learning and trying again and again, because just the effort means I'm doing my best. And doing my best may not always work out the way I intended, but each step forward is a step closer to my dream.
At least that's what I'm telling myself this week. Hey no one is perfect! :)
What I've decided is that perfection is a great goal to have, but one I'll never actually achieve.
BUT the journey toward it means learning, doing, listening, learning, accepting, and above all learning and trying again and again, because just the effort means I'm doing my best. And doing my best may not always work out the way I intended, but each step forward is a step closer to my dream.
At least that's what I'm telling myself this week. Hey no one is perfect! :)
For your pleasure a few quotes on
perfectionism
.
Which one is your favorite?
Do you suffer from perfectionitis?
Do you suffer from perfectionitis?
“They say that nobody is perfect.
Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.”
“The artist who aims at
perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.”
“People throw away what they
could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for
it where they will never find it”
A Halloween Treat
Author Interviews and a Flash Fiction Challenge
This is a group of amazing writers.
And it started with
&
Each author is hosting a giveaway
and the postings continue all month.
All you have to do is comment.
*****
TODAY all my books are free via
Kindle Unlimited
including
my latest
and just in time for Halloween!
When Zombies Attack
Tales of Horror & Romance!
After all romance and horror are just so combatible, I mean compatible!
*****
TODAY all my books are free via
Kindle Unlimited
including
my latest
and just in time for Halloween!
When Zombies Attack
Tales of Horror & Romance!
After all romance and horror are just so combatible, I mean compatible!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Sign ups for the
is now open!
Get your scare on!
47 comments:
My favourite: “The artist who aims at perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.”
Eugene Delacroix. Reminds me of someone I know! :-)
My favorite quote: 'They say that nobody is perfect. Then they say practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds'. That so sounds like something I would say when I get frustrated. If I can find the time, I'll definitely consider participating in the Halloween Challenge! Have a great night. Eva, IWSG Co-host
Perfectionism is my bane, too, Yolanda. I keep tweaking a piece all the time-- nowadays I quit when I realize I'm making it worse instead of better.
Sorry to leave a link, Blogger won't allow my wordpress comment:
Daily (w)rite
I think perfection is overrated, and certainly not easily achievable. I don't think there is such thing as a perfect story, and I'm OK with that.
Delacroix nails it absolutely!
Trying to get my scare on.. :)
I like that: the journey for it means learning. Great way to think about it.
They'll always be a hole or something off no matter what it is, perfection can bite me lol
I like Winston Churchill's quote the best. Being perfect is just not possible. Being close to perfect at one thing is achievable, but that requires so much work. I try, but I know I'll never get there and I'm OK with that. :) I'll get better, but trying to strive for perfection will undoubtedly stress me out.
- Madilyn Quinn @ NovelBrews
It rarely works out the way I intend it.
Churchill's is the best. He has a point.
It's getting worse as I get older. I can't understand why I'm making the same mistakes in my writing. Has my brain decided that retaining what I already know is too much work? Gads, I hope not. Great post, Yolanda. One of my favourite quotes: "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default." JK Rowling
Paraphrasing here - perfection is the enemy of the good, the good enough. When I get caught up in perfectionism, I become paralyzed and nothing gets done, nothing gets accomplished - not writing, not creating, not exercising, not laundry, etc. I'm trying to get over that "If I can't be perfect at it, I won't even try it, won't do it" mentality.
I like Churchill's quote the best, but I also like the last one by Schaeffer. We often don't see the treasures in front of us when we are looking blindly for perfection. Like Madeline, I get paralyzed by perfection.
Churchill was right, no wonder we are so messed up!
I love all three of those quotes but I think the Churchill one is my favorite.
I can see from comments above that I'm not the only one who loves that Churchill quote. Perfectionism is a pain in the booty. Then again, if we don't strive for SOMEthing, we'll never reach anything, right?
Hahaha, I just read Alex's comment (and so did everyone else). How can anyone beat that? :-) My favorite is (Besides Alex's Churchill) "People throw away what they could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it” Isn't that just the truth? We waste our time striving to be perfect. Well, we can't. Period. There was only ONE perfect Man. So I hope that we just settle down and write. BTW, I bought When Zombies Attack. I LOVE IT, WOMAN!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! :-)
Honestly, I don't believe in perfection or fall prey to it. Life is too dang short to be focused on trying to be perfect. I just don't have that kind of energy to waste. And that's the 100 percent truth.
As for not reaching it. A true perfectionist never reaches perfection. That's the whole thing of it.
Perfection is overrated. It's the flaws that capture the real beauty of art. It's what makes us unique.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
I agree with Winston :)
Perfection doesn't exist. We can only do our best.
I'm struggling with this exact thing now. I have to begin the full revision of my WIP and know it'll take several passes. But what if I can't change it enough? What if it will never improve to the point I feel satisfied with it? And the main one - what if I'm just not good enough? Well, moping isn't getting me very far, so I may have to actually start revising soon. lol Great post, Yolanda! :)
Perfectionism is something I'll always struggle with, despite everything, especially my knowledge that it isn't possible. I think the worst thing about the struggle is the fact that I find a mistake on each and every thing I do, that disappointment at the discovery goes deep. If it were easier to just make the change and move on instead of beating myself up over it - I think it'd be a healthier thing. Like water off a duck's back, if only!!!! Thanks, all of you for commenting! Appreciate the support!
Hi, Renee,
GEEZ, it's been ages, I am INSANE as usual. I know that what I always keep saying, but my life never seems to calm.... After major drama with finding a contractor for my loft, it;s finally under way. I have only FIVE WEEKS to get it all together. I just ordered the kitchen cabinets which will be ready a week before my target move in date on around the 13th of November. I can't believe how fast the summer flew by. Cool temps here. The leaves are turning in the park and my view is heart stopping. Sadly my loft has no view, but i will have a cool new space and a VERY COOL new neighborhood!
I struggle with perfectionism as well. It's good for us to set high standards and keep improving. Keep on writing!
Hi Denise:
Reminds me of two people I know! :)
Lilicasplace - please join us. Halloween is such fun with all the different stories to be told! Practice does mean improvement if not perfection!
Blogger showed you just fine, D!
I do that too - but it's so hard not too!
You are a great writer, and it shows in all you do!
Hi Laura,
You are so right! And it's great when we can see that and move on to the next task, but sometimes it's harder than at other times. Must be the piece, the deadline, or the stress and uncertainty!
Hi Nila,
I've not doubt you will!
TBM - I do learn, and always the hard way!!!
Hi Pat,
Love your attitude!
Hi Madilyn,
I'm okay with it now too, but damn sometimes it really erks me, the simple mistakes that do appear after I hit enter! :)
Hi Alex,
Churchill is great for quotes - on just about anything!
Hi Joylene, great quote!
I'm happy to meet someone in the same boat as me - yes, I blame it on old age - a brain that drying out! LOL
Madeline,
I get caught up in after the fact. I sail along thinking it's all fine - perfect and then whammo - the truth hits. It's so far from it's ridiculous!
Hi Tyrean,
I get angry, because I expect and seldom find it! LOL
Hi Southpaw,
Churchill had a habit of being right! :)
Hi Julie,
He's always good!
Hi Shannon,
I agree, it's all about learning for me! Striving for a goal.
Hi Robyn,
I try not to think of it as a waste of time, but a way to learn. It's been the bane of my existence for too long!
I'm so glad you're enjoy the book of shorts! Please consider a review!!! :)
Hi Ivy, you are so right - but it's a curse from childhood. I was never good enough - try as I might I couldn't please anyone - now it's all about pleasing myself, and I"m my harshest critic! A no win situation for sure! LOL
So true Samantha!
Love your viewpoint!
Hi Donna, yes, so do I!
Hi Diane, I always strive for that - the best!
Thanks Lexa,
It does weigh on some of us more than others, I blame my parents - for them nothing I did was good enough, but I kept trying. I still do, even though they aren't even in my life! Moping is a short term thing - I'm with you, let's get to work!
No worries, we'll connect later, I know how busy you are! I'm excited for you and your new loft - when it's done I'l love to come see it!
Hi Christine,
I look at it that way too - I'm a screw up - but I keep trying. That's all one can do!
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