And here we are with another Thursday staring us in the face and awaiting our accomplishments. I hope yours will be a good one.
As for me, the editing continues.
I mentioned the other day that my new website, a work in progress, is up and running thanks to Lizzy Davis. When I finally publish “Resurrecting Tobias” it will be available on that website….but my first novel will not be there.
Why?
Because I’m going to rewrite it, that’s why! I’m not happy with it. Oh, I’m proud that I wrote it, but I wrote it three years ago, and I am a much better writer today, so I want to see what I can do with it with my current skills. When I am satisfied then I will put it up for sale again.
And that is the topic of today’s discussion…..perfection!
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”
Vince Lombardi
And therein lies the quandary we all must face: we will never be perfect, but we must aim for perfection anyway.
Sigh!
TIP OF THE DAY
Find someone in the writing community whom you trust completely. Establish a friendship with that person, and use each other as sounding boards when an honest and objective opinion is needed about your writing. You will never grow to your potential if all you hear is praise.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
There is no doubt about it, I will never be perfect…..but that doesn’t mean I should accept imperfection, because once I do that then I have lowered my standards to a level that is unacceptable to me.
I don’t know how much longer I have on this planet. Will I write one more book? Two? Three? The books I do write between now and my last breath must be the best books I can write. Nothing else will do for me. Those books will be a part of my legacy after I am done, and I don’t want my legacy dirtied by sloppy work and half-efforts.
Just sayin’
EDITOR OF THE DAY
I have to give a plug for my editor, Jaye. You can find her on HP here if you should ever want someone who knows this business and is very easy to work with.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
This is my all-time favorite picture of Bev. Do you know what she is looking at? Unlimited possibilities, that’s what!
GOTTA GO
Have a great weekend my friend, and thank you always for being here and supporting me.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I am here but barely today. Sorry perfection is limited for me as I have been without power for almost 18 hours now as two trees and poles fell down. They are working now to fix, but not sure how long it will take. Only have my iPhone with limited Internet access, but just wanted to say hi and let you know why I haven’t been online much today. Have a good day and congrats on the new sites and you books, too 🙂
Janine, no fun at all my friend, and I feel for you. I hope it comes back on soon…as a businesswoman, this hurts more than usual. Good luck, hon!
I’d rather strive for perfection than accept misdirection. Thanks, Bill!
You and me both, Mari! Thank you!
Bill, I think your first novel, The 12/59 Shuttle from Yesterday to Today is awesome! I was so captivated I read it in two days. Regardless, you are the one who has to be happy with it. I’m sure the revision will complete blow my socks off. Wait a minute – I’m barefooted. Okay – blow my toenail polish off! 🙂
I’ve got your new site bookmarked. I’m going to head over there now and check out the live version.
I’m stepping out of my comfort zone tonight. Tonight my city is sponsoring a networking event for local businesses. I hate doing things alone, but I’m going to get gussied up, put on some makeup, grab some business cards and copies of my poetry book (just in case), outfit my car with The Write Solution magnets and go mingle. I’ve even been practicing my elevator speech in my head. Wish me luck!
Sha, that is a huge step on your part. Of course I wish you luck, and I know you’ll do just fine once you get in gear. Best wishes tonight my friend and I’m proud of you.
Good luck in the editing process Bill–and congrats on getting your website together. I am entering my busy time of the year–5 student recitals in 5 weeks–and so writing is coming to a slow churn for a while–while I remember to breathe! Happy Thursday and smiles!
Audrey, good luck with those recitals. Yes, breathing is a good thing. LOL Thank you!
Well, I’m excited! I loved the story line of your first book and I’m looking forward to the rewrite. Keep polishing that gem!
Lizzy, the rewrite is for you and Bev….no joke! Thanks for being honest enough to point out the flaws.
Thank God for the people who are willing to be honest and help us with our writing projects too often as the writer, we are too close to be objective no matter how perfect we would like our project to be.
I agree with you, Donna! I count on people like Lizzy who will tell me the truth. Praise is nice, but there needs to be a balance between praise and honesty. Thanks for your thoughts.
I agree perfection is so much needed. I sometimes hate myself for it, but then this will make me climb one ladder at a time towards that vision that Bev is looking out for…
that pix is awesome, and I loved it too 🙂
happy thursday bill and happy editing 🙂
Ruchira, the day I settle for second best is the day I need to stop writing. 🙂 Have a great weekend and thank you.
Bill you continue to motivate and inspire…all the time!
I have read the 12/59 Shuttle From Yesterday to Today…and I can’t wait to see what you plan to do with it! I sent you an email critique on that very unique write…and told you what I thought was the funniest part of the book. I HOPE you leave that in there! Hysterical!
I certainly will check out your new website.
I can totally relate to your striving for perfection! That is what a writer does!
I applaud your suggestion to find someone in the writing community you can trust completely.
A very close relative happened to drop in to see me at Barnes & Noble the other day when I was working on my book. She grabbed it and started reading it and said, “OH this is awesome! I love it!”
RED FLAG…I will Never, ever ask a relative or friend to read my work. NEVER! I retrieved it and I suspect she will forget what she read. I’m like you, I will take your advice and find someone in the writing community who will be 100 per cent brutal and candid.
I will also check out your editor, Jaye, as I will be looking for one in the future.
God bless always…and I KNEW that was Bev in that picture! Every time I look at it I feel so uplifted and inspired!
Sparklea/Lea 🙂
Lea, of course you know how much I appreciate you, and trust me when I tell you that just for you I will leave that one passage in the Shuttle when I rewrite it. I promise!
Good for you finding someone who is objective to read your work. It will pay huge dividends….and for sure, give Jaye a shout out if you need an editor. She is definitely a good one.
blessings always
bill
I love that picture of Bev, and love that you post it here every now and then. It just sums up so much in one image – incredible. I’m excited to see your new website… lots of new things happening for us this year. 🙂 Hope you’re having a fabulous Monday, Bill! It’s a holiday here for us, but I’m working a bit this morning – got a busy week ahead. Have a good one!
Thank you, Mel! Yes, a busy week ahead. Many things to accomplish and the clock is ticking. Have a great week my friend.
Your photo of Bev is posted in a few of your articles and each time I see it I reminds me of how peaceful it is in the mountains. Thanks for the wisdom shared on buiding perfection in writing.
Thank you Dianna! I know I use that picture quite often, but I absolutely love it.