Seeking Perfection

Writers know that perfection is a fleeting goal. As soon as you think you have made all the changes, edits and improvements to your piece, considered the feedback of your test readers and listened to the comments from your writer’s group, you read again and – find new things that need to be changed.

When is a piece really complete, when can a writer walk away and say, “that’s it. I’m done. It’s as good as it’s going to get.”  I don’t know. Many say that when every word is in its place and nothing can be added or taken away the work is done. It is a difficult decision to make when one writes a 100,000 words. For some writers it never happens as they keep editing and changing and rewriting and cutting and one day, they place their work on a shelf. To collect dust. To be forgotten.

I am committed to continue until my gut tells me it is time.