Last week I went to my critique group and felt pretty confident about the chapter I submitted. I even volunteered to go first and then all my confidence burst. Granted, it should have burst like a balloon on a sharp needle because they were dead on.
I went home and wondered when or if I'll ever get to the point where everyone thinks my chapter is good to go. Don't get me wrong, I love the feedback. It's invaluable.
But I'm looking forward to the day when that chapter is perfect or at least very close to it.
How about you? Have you ever had a perfect chapter or are you like me and still hoping it will happen one day?
19 comments:
Oh that elusive perfection. I think it depends on who's judging the work, too. A reader's eyes and a writer's eyes might see the same story a little differently, so it's hard to pinpoint one perfection for a work.
Nope. I've had chapters I like a whole lot and have enjoyed reading them over and over. But nothing perfect. A myth.
~ Wendy
lol! Is there ever perfect? I hope to see it some day. I think even the best writers have that problem. It's just a part of writing. <3
Ha! Happens to me all the time with my critique partner. I send something I think is good and get it back only to find out, NOT! Sometimes it's pretty depressing. But you know what? Since trading work with her I have become a much better writer.
man, i wish i had that problem! My crit group usually just gives me a few line edits. Which are great, and i need, but not much else.
You'll never reach perfection, no one ever does. The best anyone can achieve is, 'the best they can do at that moment in time'.
Definitely invaluable. I STILL think I have everything spot-on, and then I get a diff critique partner, or show my agent. Ha! Keep trying!!! Tight writing is the goal, and it's certainly a process to learn it.
This might sound horrible, but I've given up on perfection. I have yet to read or write or even glimpse a chapter or novel perfect in every way. What I strive for is a story that pulls in the reader and holds tight until the end--like the novels I most love to read.
I decided a long time ago there is no such thing as perfect writing. Now, I just brace myself and push through for BETTER writing. :-)
Yes, I've often hoped to wow and not have to improve at all! But I've had to learn that's not realistic.
I agree with Martin- you'll never achieve perfection. I also just read last night in Ann Patchett's book about her career in writing that it's very important to learn which criticism to listen to and which to let go...
There is no such thing as a perfect chapter. CPs will always find something.
or maybe that's just me ;)
Trust me, it will never happen. There will ALWAYS be someone who thinks you can write something better. It's human nature.
I always think I've written golden words. Then I go back and find out it's all crap. I doubt that will ever change. *sigh*
I don't think I'll ever write a perfect chapter, but that's a good thing. I plan to learn to improve my writing for the rest of my life.
:-D
Don't let it weigh on you too much. There will always be someone from crit partners, to agents, to publishers, to readers who'll find things that they think you should do different or better. The trick is getting to the point where what's being suggested is strictly personal preference...then you know you're writing as close to perfect as you can.
I don't think it ever gets perfect, lol. Mine sure doesn't. And I love your story and can't wait to read more of it!
HA! Perfect? Me? Um... no. But I like to imagine things like unicorns and magic and perfection... Unfortunately, I've yet to find it. Must be hiding somewhere with that unicorn. They're sneaky little beasts!
Anyway, I love that quote! I'll probably write it on my forehead every morning from now on... just sayin'...
Great post!
Although I imagine perfection, I know I'll never get there. So I strive for "good enough".
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