Self Perspective: the Dangers of Perfectionism and Self-Deprecation · 11:05pm Aug 18th, 2020
In my editing career, I have met many authors who possessed...tenuous self-esteem about their work. My blunt critiquing style and frequent lack of tact have damaged many an author's self-esteem further. And I take full responsibility for that. I've often had a strained relationship with my own work as well. I recently did some editing for an IRL friend new to writing, and these topics came up multiple times in our discussion. I thought it a good thing to discuss.
There are many types of and layers to perfectionism. There's the sort that spurs one to work and tinker on something to make it better. Another causes one to overfocus on flaws and mistakes. Perhaps those mistakes are all one sees. Perfectionism can drive people to strive after unobtainable ideals. Really, it's in the name. Perfect is an abstract concept: nice to think about, but it doesn't actually exist.
When I started my creative writing career, way back in high school, I intentionally made self-deprecation a large part of my creative process. I had seen arrogant and crazy artists, and I wanted to avoid delusions of grandeur. I told myself that insulting my own work, critiquing it harshly, would prevent me from ignoring advice due to ego. It's only recently that I examined that idea and realized how destructive it is.
It is not your job as an artist to focus on your flaws. Your editors, audience, and critics will do that for you. Keeping your ego in check is certainly a goal, but life will do that for you. You needn't help that particular process along. "You are your own worst critic" is an old writing cliche. But it's true. Always strive to make your self-criticism constructive. Don't belittle or denigrate yourself.
Like so many of my blog posts about the creative process, these are all mistakes that I have made. Creativity is deeply personal. It's as subjective as the works and reactions it creates. But hopefully, you can learn from my mistakes, in however small a way.
Didn't wanna mention him here because of the obnoxious levels of hero worship he's subjected to (and also because Infinite Jest is kinda bad imo), BUT...
5338474 I'm completely unfamiliar with the man (and his work), but good advice is good advice, haha.
Nicely said! :D
I do too! >:B
5338589 But you weren't present when I wrote this.
5338673
You just had to live up to your username, huh?
5338673
oh c.c