Help me get over Compofectionism

Posted on 24. Sep, 2008 by Kyle in Miscellaneous

So, they say that the first step to overcoming your addictions is to admit your problem and seek help. So here I go…

“My name is Kyle Chowning, and I have a problem with compofectionism.”

When I was in school, I had teachers who consistently told me that my writing was awkward and not creative enough. Just like anything else, if you listen to the message long enough, you believe what you are told. Unfortunately, a decade or two later, I still believe them.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve been able to look back and understand that my teachers weren’t necessarily wrong, they simply didn’t help me resolve my writing deficiencies. The good news is, I want to write. The problem is, when I put my fingers to the keyboard, I experience what I call compofectionism (composition + perfectionism = compofectionism). I define it as “the refusal to accept any writing short of perfection.” That drive for perfection and my fear of failing consistently terminates my enthusiasm and I move on to something different. Bleh.

Let me be clear that this post is not a plea for commendations.

Here’s what I want to know:

  1. What was the best writing advice you were ever given?
  2. What is the best way you get over your compofectionism?

Write on!

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Tags: , ,

4 Responses to “Help me get over Compofectionism”

  1. Cal Evans

    24. Sep, 2008

    Hi Kyle,

    To your second second question. The way I avoid compofectionism is to write without editing on my first draft. No matter what, I just keep writing.

    Once I have all thoughts down, I start editing.

    This works best for me in articles and fiction, I’ve yet to make it work with poetry. When writing poetry I just keep at it until I get totally frustrated and give up.

    HTH,
    =C=

    Reply to this comment

  2. Jim

    28. Sep, 2008

    Kyle – I agree with Cal – write without editing. Write, write, write. It’s always easier to trim down a larger swath of ideas into the “gem” you’re looking for as opposed to inflate a “barely attempted paragraph”. The mechanics of it might bore you, but the Strunk and White book “Elements of Style” is a classic! It taught me more about how the verbs (and tense) I use convey the passivity or aggressiveness of my subject than anything else. Thomas Sowell has some interesting thoughts on writing here: http://www.tsowell.com/About_Writing.html.

    I agree with Sowell in that he only writes when he has something to say, so if that fits you, then keep after input that compels you to write.

    Reply to this comment

  3. Kyle

    28. Sep, 2008

    @cal evans – thanks for the tip and advice. I appreciate your input.

    @jim – thanks for the advice and link. I’ll take a read.

    Reply to this comment

  4. Trish Jones

    29. Sep, 2008

    Joe Vitale really helped me with this problem … he said write as though the critic is not looking over your shoulder … the critic being the teacher.

    The important thing is to get your thoughts down and if you were speaking, you’d never stop and say “edit that.” So, just write.

    The other way to overcome this issue is to record your blog posts etc. I used to be an Insurance Adjuster and it was excellent practice for me to learn to dictate without first writing out my report. You’d be amazed just how proficient you get at just speaking without editing.

    I know it was frustrating for the typist, but I also used to ignore the mistakes, make a mental note that that part had to be edited and move on. Why? Often trying to say something a second time isn’t as powerful as when you said it the first time.

    Hope this helps!

    Trish

    Reply to this comment

Leave a Reply