The Prose and Cons of Perfectionism

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.