Perfectionism - How to Overcome and Help to Finish Your Book
Perfectionism can feel like a double-edged sword for writers. While it pushes you to deliver quality work, it can also stop you from reaching your end goal, keeping you stuck in an endless cycle of editing, rewording, and trying to reach that ‘perfect’ status. Many writers fall into this perfectionism trap, which can make finishing a book feel impossible. It may be one of the reasons you are sitting there with a half-written book that hasn’t been published YET.
But here's the truth: your book doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to be good enough. By letting go of perfectionism and embracing progress over flawlessness, you can finally complete your book. Below are some proven strategies to help you overcome perfectionism and reach that final chapter.
Why Perfectionism Holds Writers Back
Perfectionism sets an impossible standard. Constantly tweaking every sentence and hunting for the ‘perfect’ word, sentence or paragraph can mean you never actually move forward. Even bestselling books aren’t flawless, and readers are more interested in the heart of the message or story than in a flawless piece of work. The only caveat to that is that if it is dotted with tonnes of mistakes, it can detract from what you are trying to get across. Aim for the middle ground.
As author Anne Lamott said, ‘Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.’ It keeps us focused on minutiae instead of on delivering the story we want to tell.
Strategies to Overcome Perfectionism and Finish Your Book
1. Write a Messy First Draft
Give yourself permission to write a messy, imperfect first draft. Letting go of the need for perfection allows ideas to flow more freely. Get your stuff down on paper to go back over and edit another day.
Many writers, like Jodi Picoult, advocate for this approach. She says, ‘You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.’ By focusing on getting the words down, you have material to work with later.
2. Set a Timer and Write without Editing
Try setting a timer for 10–15 minutes and write without stopping or editing during that time. This technique quiets the inner critic and helps you prioritise progress. You can find many Pomodoro timers online that are designed to help you work in short bursts.
Tip: During this exercise, even if your mind wants to edit, ignore the urge. The goal is to capture your thoughts and ideas.
3. Commit to the End of Each Chapter Before Revising
Finish each chapter before going back to revise. By doing this, you’ll be able to see the bigger picture and identify areas to improve later. If you’re unsure you’ve got the order right, just keep going and re-order it when editing.
‘The first draft is just you telling yourself the story. — Terry Pratchett.
Focus on completing the ‘story’ for yourself initially, without worrying about the perfect wording.
4. Limit Your Editing Sessions
Assign specific times or deadlines for editing after significant progress. This approach allows you to get ‘in the zone’ for writing and then shift to an editing mindset later.
Think of it like cooking. You wouldn’t stop to taste-test every spoonful before finishing the dish—you’d get the basic recipe together and adjust as needed once it was almost ready.
5. Set Realistic Goals and Deadlines
Sometimes, perfectionism is a result of high expectations. Instead, set achievable daily or weekly word goals. If you meet your goal, celebrate it without dwelling on what ‘could be better.’
Tip: Use a progress tracker or a writing buddy to hold yourself accountable. A little encouragement and structure go a long way!
6. Surround Yourself with Supportive Writers
Join a writing group, online forum, or have an accountability partner or group who can remind you that perfection isn’t required to finish a book. If you’re interested in this kind of support, find out how I can help here.
A supportive community can offer you a fresh perspective and positive feedback that helps you stay focused on progress over perfection.
Remember: Done is Better than Perfect
By letting go of perfectionism and focusing on finishing, you’ll move forward faster and more confidently. Each edit can be improved, but that’s impossible without a first draft to build from. And don’t improve it too many times. Once is the minimum, twice is probably the sweet spot. Embrace your imperfections, and you may just find that your work becomes even more powerful and relatable for readers. If you spot minor things to improve, you can always release a second edition down the line.
Finishing your book doesn’t require perfection; it requires perseverance and a willingness to let go of tiny details in favor of the bigger picture. Remember, the magic of your story lies in its authenticity, not its flawlessness.
So, here’s a question for you: What would it feel like to hold your finished book in your hands, even if it’s not ‘perfect’?
Take a small step today—commit to writing without editing for just 15 minutes, or finishing that chapter before revisiting it. How will you break through perfectionism and bring your story to life?
Come and let us know how you’ve got on here.
How to Conquer the Fear of Failure and Finish Your Book
Many aspiring authors start with a burst of enthusiasm, yet never finish their book. Often, it’s not a lack of talent or time holding them back, but a paralysing fear of failure. This fear can take many forms: worrying that your writing isn’t good enough, that no one will read your book, or that it will face harsh criticism.
If this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. Fear of failure is one of the most common reasons writers abandon their work. But here’s the good news: even the most successful authors have faced the same fear. The key difference between those who finish their books and those who don’t isn’t the absence of fear, but how they deal with it.
Here are proven strategies to help you conquer your fear of failure and finally finish your book:
1. Shift Your Mindset: Progress Over Perfection
Many writers freeze up because they’re striving for an unrealistic standard. But the truth is, your first draft isn’t supposed to be perfect—it’s supposed to be a starting point.
Think of it as building a house. You wouldn’t expect a perfectly polished home when you’ve just laid the foundation, right? Your first draft is that foundation. The fine-tuning comes later.
Pro Tip: Remind yourself that progress is the goal, not perfection. Just getting your ideas down is a win. Editing and polishing can happen later, but you can’t edit a blank page.
2. Embrace Failure as Part of Growth
Instead of viewing failure as a reason to stop, see it as a part of the learning process. Every great writer has faced rejection, criticism, and self-doubt.
"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." — Henry Ford
Think of this: J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was rejected by 12 publishers before it became a worldwide sensation. Imagine if she had given up because of that initial failure!
Pro Tip: Allow yourself to make mistakes. Each “failure” is a stepping stone toward refining your craft. The only real failure is stopping.
3. Break the Project into Manageable Pieces
Feeling overwhelmed is a common cause of writer’s block, especially when fear of failure is looming. When you look at your book as a whole, it can feel daunting, but breaking it into smaller, manageable sections can help reduce that pressure.
If you were climbing a mountain, you wouldn’t focus on the peak the entire time. You’d focus on reaching the next checkpoint. Treat your writing the same way.
Pro Tip: Set micro-goals. Instead of thinking, “I have to finish my entire book”, think, “I’ll write one chapter” or even “one page today”. Small victories build momentum.
4. Surround Yourself with Positive Support
Writing can be an isolating experience, which can make your inner fears louder. Seek out positive, encouraging communities of writers who are also working through their fears.
"Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher." — Oprah Winfrey
Whether it’s an online writing group like my Author-ity for Entrepreneurs Facebook group, a local meet-up, or a mentor, connecting with others can help you stay motivated and remind you that you’re not alone in your journey.
Pro Tip: Share your fears and progress with supportive friends or fellow writers. They’ll help keep you accountable and offer the encouragement you need when doubt creeps in.
5. Visualise Your Success
One powerful way to combat fear of failure is to visualise what success looks like for you. Picture yourself holding a completed copy of your book at a launch or you giving an animated delivery to your ideal audience highlighting nuggets from your published book.
Pro Tip: Take a few moments each day to close your eyes and imagine the feeling of accomplishment and pride you’ll have once you finish. This mental rehearsal can be a strong motivator to push through the fear and keep going.
Fear of failure is a normal part of the writing process, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. By shifting your mindset, embracing failure as part of growth, and breaking your work into manageable pieces, you can take the fear out of finishing your book. Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being persistent.
So ask yourself: When am I getting back in the saddle?