We all want to arrive. We want to win the contest, get the publisher, reach the milestone that says we are an excellent author. When I turn in my “final” draft to a beta reader, there is a part of me that wants him to say, “This is perfect. Absolutely nothing needs to change.”
But what if he did say that — and it were true?
If my work were perfect, I would actually lose a lot of things. I would lose the excitement of hearing a tip that will spice up my dialogue. I would lose the feeling of admiration when I see how another writer used an excellent plotting technique — and then borrow that technique for myself. I would lose the satisfaction of comparing my old and new work every year and seeing how I’ve grown.
Much of what makes writing fun is the chance to learn and improve. So when a beta reader points out the numerous problems in my work, I want to embrace it. I’ll never be perfect, and that’s okay. I would rather enjoy the journey.
- The Journey - June 29, 2026
- Nothing to Prove - March 1, 2026
- Overcoming Writer’s Block - June 27, 2025