Writing Perfection is a Null Goal
I was uploading even more content to About Freelance Writing and came across an article I wrote titled, If Not Perfection, What?
Whew! That article details some writing and editing horrors that actually got into a book I wrote for a major publisher. And moving content from my old writing site to the new one has meant IÂ’ve been looking and reading everything IÂ’ve written on the subject for about three years.
On one hand, I am, on the whole pleased. While IÂ’ve uncovered typos and some weird and awkward phrasing, it hasnÂ’t been as bad as it might have been. On the other hand, IÂ’ve totally rewritten several pieces, dumped a few completely and done a whole bunch of tweaking.
Somewhere along the line in my writing career I gave up the goal of perfection. In truth, I wouldnÂ’t know a perfect piece of writing if it walked up and introduced itself. That doesnÂ’t allow me to be careless, but it does allow me to get work out the door.
If perfection in your writing is your goal, I suggest you drop it and settle for doing a darned good job.
Write well and often,
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POSTED IN: General Freelance Writing
6 opinions for Writing Perfection is a Null Goal
Tammy
May 30, 2005 at 7:30 am
Nice to hear I’m not alone. It seems like I find a typo every day when I look at my web site! I wish I could afford a proof reader, but you’re totally right. There’s only so much you can do, and you have to get stuff out the door or you’d never make any money!
annew
May 30, 2005 at 8:09 am
lol, I know I’m not alone ;)
Shanna
May 30, 2005 at 8:22 pm
Anne,
You are a great source of inspiration! I am listed as writer/editor on a newsletter and somehow between my hands and the layout guy two typos appeared. I am meticulous and I know for a fact that he was the one to input the article with the errors. In any event, everyone I knew had nasty fun pointing out the typos to me. I guess the problem with perfection (perceived or actual) is people treat any human mistake you may make as a very big deal. I was happy to read your post and remind myself that I can afford a typo or two and still be a fantastic writer!
Thanks,
Shanna
annew
May 31, 2005 at 9:19 am
Shanna, it always amazes me how many people are eager to point out typos… I wonder what their lives are like. I love good editing, but there are some nitpickers out there that blow me away.
A
Saturday Writing Re-Runs - Writing Perfection is a Null Goal
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Saturday Writing Re-Runs - Writing Perfection is a Null Goal
Aug 16, 2008 at 2:50 pm
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