Perfectionism vs Progress – How I Learned to Finish Drafts Without Obsessing Over Every Detail
Perfectionism vs Progress is an ongoing battle for me even till today. However, I learned so many lessons along the way.
Have you ever spent hours rewriting the same sentence, convinced it wasn’t good enough to move on? I have. Many, many times. Perfectionism ruled my writing life for years. It disguised itself as “high standards,” but in reality, it was fear dressed up as discipline. Fear of failing, or of wasting time on something mediocre. I always thought whatever I wrote wasn’t good enough.
Over time, I learned that perfectionism can even kill your creativity. It traps you in an endless cycle where no word is ever right, no chapter is ever finished, and your stories never see the light of day. Through my own struggles, I’ve discovered that embracing progress over perfection is the only way to keep writing and actually finish.
For a detailed psychological study on perfectionism, read Elizabeth Scott’s, PhD article publish on Very Well Mind, Perfectionism: 10 Signs of Perfectionist Traits.
Contents
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1. Realization of Perfectionism
There were two key moments in my writing life when I realized perfectionism was sabotaging me.
The first was when I started writing short stories. Back then, I would stop constantly to research every little detail. If I mentioned a city, I had to double-check its geography. If a character picked up a weapon, I had to research its entire history. Even side characters who appeared briefly had to have full backgrounds written out. I thought I was being thorough, but really, I was freezing my progress.
The second was during my college years. I wrote a short story about a firefighter who became a pyromancer. I couldn’t get past the first paragraph. I kept rewriting it, convinced it wasn’t interesting enough. Then I obsessed over the opening sentence, rewriting it over and over until days had passed and I was burned out. Eventually, I discarded the story completely.
Here is the opening paragraph:
“The beauty of the flame engulfed the eyes of the pyromaniac. A dream of Jack was to control fire. He would meditate in front of a lit candle touching the flame, dancing with it using his fingers. His obsession of fire was the reason why he got let go of the firehouse.
It was a few years back, though felt like it was yesterday, when he left a corporate building to crumble down in flames. He didn’t even bother to save a life nor help out his fellow firefighters to take down the beast of flames erupting the building. It was assumed that Jack wanted the CEO to perish due to a corruption scandel that was going on. But no. It was the beauty of the fire and how powerful it was that it took hours to silence it.”
Looking back, I realize how many projects I abandoned because of this mindset. Hundreds of short stories remain unfinished in old files because I couldn’t stop editing long enough to finish them.
2. How Perfectionism Shows Up in Writing
Perfectionism can wear many masks, and I’ve experienced them all:
Over-editing every draft:
Every time I sat down to write, I reread what I’d written before and got stuck fixing small grammar mistakes or rephrasing sentences. Instead of moving forward, I was constantly rewriting what was already “good enough.”
Discarding stories too soon:
If the draft wasn’t shaping up the way I imagined, I’d lose confidence and abandon it altogether.
Obsessing over the hook:
I spent countless hours trying to perfect opening lines, believing they had to be flawless before moving on.
The worst part? I thought these habits made me a better writer. In reality, they just made me an expert at not finishing anything.
3. The Turning Point
Everything changed when I began writing Deadly Sins. Unlike my early projects, I had a deadline. There was no time to rewrite sentences endlessly or obsess over details. I had to push through and finish the draft, no matter how messy it was.
That deadline taught me a lesson I’ll never forget:
Writing a book is like building a house. The first draft is the frame. The second draft is the drywall. Only then do you add bricks, paint, and polish. You can’t decorate a house that hasn’t been built.
This mindset carried into my work on 8-Bit, my first novel that I plan to publish very soon. (As of this post published, 8-Bit is anticipated for a 2026 release). I wrote out concepts for each chapter, creating a clear roadmap. Whenever perfectionism crept in, especially when I felt the urge to keep editing the first chapter, I reminded myself that the draft came first. Editing would come later.
Deadlines forced me to see progress as the priority. Without them, I might still be rewriting chapter one.
4. Finding a Balance Between Quality and Progress
Writers often ask: How do you balance quality with the need to just keep writing? For me, the answer is simple: quality comes later. The first draft’s only job is to exist.
That doesn’t mean I don’t care about quality. In fact, I do. But I’ve learned it’s impossible to write a perfect first draft. Instead, I focus on building the story from start to finish, no matter how rough it feels. Once it’s complete, I can relax and enjoy the editing process without the stress of an incomplete manuscript.
I also use practical strategies to keep myself on track:
Chapter summaries:
After writing each chapter, I jot down a quick summary. This keeps me grounded in the story and prevents me from obsessing over tiny edits when I return to write the next part.
Handwritten notes:
If I spot something I want to change while drafting, I write a quick note to myself instead of stopping to fix it.
Preparation:
Before I start writing, I make sure I’m mentally prepared and have the time to focus. Writing in a rush or on a whim usually invites perfectionism back in.
These small habits make a huge difference in how I approach writing.
5. Advice for Writers
If you’re constantly rewriting the same chapter, or worse, the same sentence, here’s my advice:
- Write a concept summary. After finishing a chapter, write a short summary of what you wrote. It’s for your eyes only, so don’t edit it.
- Treat summaries as sacred. They’re not part of the book, so don’t waste time polishing them. They’re just reminders of where you left off.
- Finish the draft, no matter how messy. You can’t fix a blank page, but you can fix an ugly one.
- Use deadlines to your advantage. Even if they’re self-imposed, deadlines force you to move forward.
- Remember that the first draft is not the final product. It’s not supposed to be pretty. It’s supposed to be written.
Progress always beats perfection. Always.
6. How Letting Go Improved My Writing
Once I let go of perfectionism, my writing improved dramatically. Why? Because I actually finished things. Writing became less about agonizing over every word and more about building a complete story.
I stayed organized by dating my work, keeping summaries, and writing without constant editing. I still have moments where I want to fix that one sentence, but instead of giving in, I make a note and keep going.
And when the draft is done, editing becomes more enjoyable. I approach it with fresh eyes, knowing the hardest part, the actual writing, is behind me.
7. Why Perfection Does Not Equal Success
When I was younger, I believed all published books were flawless. Why else would they be on the shelves? But as I learned more about the publishing world, I discovered that many books go through multiple editions. Anniversary releases often include updated text, added scenes, or corrections to missed grammar.
That realization shattered the myth of perfection for me. Books don’t have to be perfect to be successful. They just have to connect with readers.
Perfectionism tells writers that success only comes from flawless work. But in reality, success comes from stories that make readers feel something.
Final Thoughts
Perfectionism whispers that your work isn’t good enough. Progress shouts back that it’s done.
If perfectionism is stopping you, remember this: your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be written. Build the house brick by brick. You can always paint it later.
So stop rewriting that same sentence. Stop waiting for the “perfect” moment. Start writing. Finish your draft and watch how progress will take you further than perfection ever could.
