I've been trying to write a novel for years, but I cannot get over my perfectionism at the time of writing. It's manageable for short stories, but novels... it just seems impossible.
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.
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