I try to concentrate on being perfectionist at the level-of-detail that the project is at.
What this means is that at the earlier stages of a project I avoid details, restricting myself to rough larger / middle level beats b8t also allowing myself free-write sessions to both keep my mood up and explore tone. But forcing myself to accept that all detail-writing at this phase is otherwise for the garbage can.
Once I have a rough structure, I start to switch between writing full chapters. I notice these still being about 50% garbage passes.
Eventually that percent sinks and then I will have a story.
Everyone is always presenting perfectionism as bad, or the enemy. But it's also what makes you good. So I think its more apt to concentrate on the level-of-detail at which you are applying your perfectionism.
That's tough because my favorite story is always the one I currently write. The most 'interesting' origin story is probably one inspired by Houska Castle, paired with a desire to write the most capital G Gothic story possible. I threw in every stereotypical trope, including a blatant 'it was a dark and stormy night' opening line.
Not yet. I'm currently editing my stash of shorts and novellas. This one is up next. Not sure how or where I'll publish when I'm done though. An anthology seems to be my best shot since novellas aren't exactly a hot commodity, and my short stories aren't short enough for 90 % of the magazines I looked at. If all else fails, I guess I'll make a blog.
Yeah, I write cosmic and gothic horror (in a medieval-ish secondary world). If it reads like it could have been in Weird Tales ca. 1936, I have accomplished what I set out to do.
Absolutely! I'm on my last editing pass from the feedback I got so far for a cosmic short (~12k). Should be done in a few days. If you're fine with audio, here's a short.
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