Laini’s answer to “As an aspiring author, I'm curious: how much writing, or how many years of writing, do you think it…” > Likes and Comments

Thank you so much for this answer and for the well wishes! It's so good to know that one of my favorite authors has gone through the same thing and still came out the other end with wonderful stories.

I think the fast writing thing messes with me too. I love the energy of NaNoWriMo, and it did get me to pump out a lot of words for my WIP, but now the story is a MESS as a result and I'm hesitant to get back to it!

Thank you so much for replying! <3

Seconded! This is such valuable insight. Perfectionism is the biggest contributor to procrastination Thank you!! Needed to hear this today.

hey and is have is fun

I feel like I relate to this too.

Thanks for sharing your process and experience, Laini. I can relate to it. Always great to hear each unique writer's path. Fascinating, helpful and connects us to each other on the incredible and challenging journey of being artists. Thanks!

Thanks for this! I'm exactly the same when it comes to writing. I have so many story ideas and whenever I sit to write, I end up editing more than writing.
Hopefully I'll just keep writing and do the editing later. But everyone definitely has their own pacing when it comes to writing.
As long as something gets done in the end. :) Great advice, thanks again!

Laini, I have heard this "write a fast first draft" advice for so long. I feel that piece of me that yearns to write, but I too struggle with perfectionism. I feel like you just gave me permission to write as I love to do so. Slowly, deliberately, cherishing the words and making them as "perfect" as I am able. I am currently working as a children's librarian and one of my co-workers and I just spent at least 30 minutes today gushing about how much we adored Strange the Dreamer. I am on my second reading. Thank you so much for being exactly who you are and for this little nugget of inspiration! Should you find yourself in the Boston area I hope to meet you!

This is such wonderful advice! I also just started Strange the Dreamer and am in love with your voice in that book, wondering how you got so good. What you're describing I think is similar to the process I'm discovering for myself as a writer. Thank you so much for sharing!

Wow, someone who writes the way I do. Still trying to get past the drive for perfection in my first draft. Love your books!

Thank you so much for your advice! I just finished Strange the Dreamer and it was so amazing, but I'm bereft until Muse comes out... As for writing, I have two amazing ideas that are nearly bursting from my head, only to be stopped by perfectionism. I guess it's good to know it might never get better, but that I can still get past it -even if it will be painful.

Thank God you are just like me

I am the same. I have to edit what I wrote the day before until I feel good about it. Sometimes it takes me weeks to edit a chapter before I start the next one. I don't think it is perfectionism. It is more like polishing a diamond in the rough until it shines.

This is very encouraging feedback! I have wanted to write since the 5th grade but operate much the same way as you described.

It is a relief to see an author who is like me during the process of writing! Thank you, and I just want to say I really look up to you.