Thursday, February 11, 2010

Putting the Smackdown on Perfectionism

The main reason that I started this blog was to put the smackdown on my ridiculous perfectionism.  But, this last week or so it has reared its ugly head.  I've found myself not posting because I didn't have that perfect topic.  So, in the spirit of anti-perfectionism, here is a possibly lame update on what is going on in Aprilville. 

In my last post, I mentioned that I applied to be an editor at BellaOnline.  Well, I didn't get it.  They gave it to some Dr. Whateverhernameis.  The nerve.  Moving on.  I also submitted four articles for review at Constant Content.  I was amazed when the first was approved.  They are notorious for being grammar snobs.  I, however, am not.  So, after a gazillion rewrites, I hit submit.  It took five days, but my first article was approved.  Then I submitted another.  Repeat acceptance process two more times. 

Yesterday morning, I woke up to find an offer for one of my articles.  What?  Someone wants to buy what I've written?  Yowza.  So I accepted the offer and have my first sale.  That was an amazing feeling.  Of course, now I'm stalking my account, psychicly willing my articles to sell. 

I've also managed to put together a complete outline for a novel.  I've been toying with this idea for a while.  It keeps morphing on me though, and I haven't been able to hold it down long enough to write the damn thing.  Hopefully, this outline will help. 

Now that I've got a strangle-hold on the perfectionism, I can tackle my procrastination.  Maybe later.

4 comments:

Lt. Cccyxx said...

Selling your writing and an outline for a novel - that sounds great. I'm like you: without a lot of prep work and at least some rough outlining, fiction writing (anything longer than a short story, and even then sometimes) isn't worth it.

April W said...

I'm usually a seat of the pantser. That is why I get a couple of chapters into a novel and it kinda fizzles out. This is the first time that I'm working from an outline. I finished the first chapter today. I'm happy with the story, but my dialogue could use some work. I guess that is what rewrites are for.

Elle said...

Congratulations on your sale! I'm jealous as I've just started freelancing and would love that! Also, good luck with you novel - it should be a lot easier now that you have a plan to work from.

April W said...

Thanks Elle - I can't wait till your book comes out. I think that is way better than freelancing.