Let’s say your current WIP is going to be a best-seller. Let’s say that it’s going to break records, be on every news channel, and have every talk show on Earth lining up to interview you.
Now let’s also say, that it wasn’t ready when you published it. Would you still want it published? Would you want every person on earth to see those flaws? What if, because this book was so succesful, everything you ever wrote after that would be published, but no one would ever help you edit it?
Could you live with knowing that the world was satisfied with less than your very best?
A.M. Kuska's Blog 
Jul 31, 2010 @ 13:15:34
Ha! That’s a good question, Ms. Kuska! I have to admit wanting perfection in my writing, especially if published. Is this vanity or insecurity or pride in my skill? Not sure. On the other hand, I write with a purpose inside me that transcends seeking acclaim for my style, voice, characterization or plot. Being a poorly skilled writer wouldn’t accomplish anything, because few read what is poorly written. But if my writing were to cause a reader to engage in the story, I consider this the most important factor.
As for those winning recognition for their excellent writing skills, I admire them and wish them well. If my novel were the one winning accolades from the inhabitants of Earth, would I really be concerned about some little writing error? I doubt it. After all, I would have achieved what all writers at some time in their lives would hope to accomplish.
I have a question. If a writer turns out a best seller, does this mean no one would help that writer edit in the future? Not sure this would be a good thing.
Jul 31, 2010 @ 14:22:17
Not having personal experience as a best seller, I wouldn’t know. I kind of suspect that of established writers however. After all, Anne McAffrey has some huge errors in her books. (Fabulous author, and obviously skilled don’t get me wrong.) The errors aren’t the sort an author can catch, they are the kind that fresh eyes need to see. I don’t think she’s being given fresh eyes.
Jul 31, 2010 @ 15:53:43
I’m not sure how I’d respond to or what I’d think about that situation. I’m pretty sure I’d be torn over it. I’d be happy with the success. I’d be very disappointed in the knowledge it really wasn’t my best possible work. Oh, man. Hard question to answer.
I’ll have to think about it a bit.
Jul 31, 2010 @ 17:59:12
It’s been my experience that no mater how much I work over a WIP, no mater how many times I set it aside to age before turning back to it, and no mater how closely I comb over it, I always feel I can make it better. I don’t think I would ever feel it’s as good as I can make it. However, there comes a point where I just suck it up and submit. If it explodes, I’ll just work that much harder to make my next one that much better.
Aug 01, 2010 @ 03:35:41
I have to go with adsimons. I could work on something forever or I can just take a breath and hope that I’ve done enough. Worrying about it won’t make it any better.
Aug 01, 2010 @ 15:53:00
but isn’t worrying about it what pushes us to the next level? If you knew in your heart you were the greatest writer the world has ever seen, would you try harder?
Aug 01, 2010 @ 17:05:56
Good god no!
I’m somewhat of a perfectionist, and while I know that everyone makes mistakes and that no finished piece is ever going to be “perfect,” when you’re trying to make a name for yourself as a professional writer, you HAVE to make sure you’re putting your best out there. Minor errors happen and aren’t worth stressing over, but the accolades and success aren’t worth the benefits they reap if you know you could have done better, and could (potentially) have gotten even more out of that published piece than you did had you taken the extra time to make it the best it could be.
From what I’ve observed from several authors I’ve followed over time, as you publish, your style may change and your skills will evolve as you hone them. Your first work in print may not be as good as your latest, but it should be the best you could write at the time. Putting something out there that is less than you’re capable of is doing yourself a gross disservice.
Aug 03, 2010 @ 23:42:13
Great question, amkuska.
Great response, BCDreamGirl. “Your first work in print may not be as good as your latest, but it should be the best you could write at the time. Putting something out there that is less than you’re capable of is doing yourself a gross disservice.”
I’ll amen to that.