Comments on: Stumbling block #5: Perfectionism http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/ From the Desk of WriteShop Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:34:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1189 Kim Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:05:24 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1189 Love your attitude, Loralee. I hope your son hops right on board with you! Love your attitude, Loralee. I hope your son hops right on board with you!

]]> By: Loralee http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1187 Loralee Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:15:32 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1187 I can't wait to tell my #2, perfectionist son the quote by James Michener (“I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.”)! If someone who has had several 1000 (+?) page books published can rewrite their creations, then hopefully, he will see that rewriting a couple of paragraphs is no big deal! I can’t wait to tell my #2, perfectionist son the quote by James Michener (“I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.”)! If someone who has had several 1000 (+?) page books published can rewrite their creations, then hopefully, he will see that rewriting a couple of paragraphs is no big deal!

]]> By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1133 Kim Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:17:28 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1133 See, I knew it! ;) See, I knew it! ;)

]]> By: Amy http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1132 Amy Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:47:03 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1132 Kim, I just read it! ;) You were right! Amy Kim, I just read it! ;) You were right!

Amy

]]> By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1129 Kim Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:19:05 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1129 Amy, I think you'll also enjoy the post on <a href="http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/12/22/writing-with-lists/" rel="nofollow">list-making as a writing exercise</a>. Sounds like it's write up your alley! Amy, I think you’ll also enjoy the post on list-making as a writing exercise. Sounds like it’s write up your alley!

]]> By: Amy http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1128 Amy Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:43:19 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1128 My #2 son and I are avid perfectionists, so this post spoke directly to me. He hates re-writing! Matter of fact, he hates doing anything twice (a math problem, spelling words, etc, etc - unless it is watching the same movie again and again 'til he gets the quotes down! ;) I really can attest to the just write to write exercise, with a time limit. I tried this and it seemed very daunting at first, but after awhile, knowing that it was indeed possible and what's more, even helpful, I learned to enjoy it. It was a huge release for me to know that I could write whatever came to mind and it didn't have to be perfect, because the fact was when I wrote like that at first a lot of foolishness comes out until sometimes you hit a groove and can't stop! I can't wait to teach my kids all these AWESOME things that I'm learning. I also agree with Jimmie that if the revision process is done over a period of several days, it would seem less intimidating and discouraging. Amy in Peru http://fisheracademy.blogspot.com My #2 son and I are avid perfectionists, so this post spoke directly to me. He hates re-writing! Matter of fact, he hates doing anything twice (a math problem, spelling words, etc, etc – unless it is watching the same movie again and again ’til he gets the quotes down! ;)
I really can attest to the just write to write exercise, with a time limit. I tried this and it seemed very daunting at first, but after awhile, knowing that it was indeed possible and what’s more, even helpful, I learned to enjoy it. It was a huge release for me to know that I could write whatever came to mind and it didn’t have to be perfect, because the fact was when I wrote like that at first a lot of foolishness comes out until sometimes you hit a groove and can’t stop! I can’t wait to teach my kids all these AWESOME things that I’m learning.
I also agree with Jimmie that if the revision process is done over a period of several days, it would seem less intimidating and discouraging.

Amy in Peru
http://fisheracademy.blogspot.com

]]> By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1102 Kim Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:20:02 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1102 You're right, Jimmie! A wise parent will introduce her children to the writing process at a young age rather than wait till junior high or high school. You’re right, Jimmie! A wise parent will introduce her children to the writing process at a young age rather than wait till junior high or high school.

]]> By: Jimmie http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1098 Jimmie Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:03:41 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1098 I think that emphasizing the writing process is key to this obstacle. From the very earliest (1st grade) I made my daughter's writing assignments stretch over many days as she worked from prewriting to publishing. Very, very few people can simultaneously think about all the facets required in good writing. And when they try to, it inhibits creativity and productivity. My daughter is 5th grade now, and she totally grasps the concept of planning, drafting, and editing. I think that emphasizing the writing process is key to this obstacle. From the very earliest (1st grade) I made my daughter’s writing assignments stretch over many days as she worked from prewriting to publishing. Very, very few people can simultaneously think about all the facets required in good writing. And when they try to, it inhibits creativity and productivity. My daughter is 5th grade now, and she totally grasps the concept of planning, drafting, and editing.

]]> By: Kim http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1050 Kim Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:09:07 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1050 Isabelle: Not all children are perfectionists---even if their moms are! :) Sounds like he's making progress. Taking time to rewrite a word is a good step for an 8-year-old. Tammy: Thanks for sharing your girls' positive experience with WriteShop. I hope you know they're not alone in their dislike of revising---particularly in this microwave world of instant results! Even if they never learn to love the editing process, hopefully they'll at least learn to appreciate and respect its value. Isabelle: Not all children are perfectionists—even if their moms are! :) Sounds like he’s making progress. Taking time to rewrite a word is a good step for an 8-year-old.

Tammy: Thanks for sharing your girls’ positive experience with WriteShop. I hope you know they’re not alone in their dislike of revising—particularly in this microwave world of instant results! Even if they never learn to love the editing process, hopefully they’ll at least learn to appreciate and respect its value.

]]> By: Tammy http://www.writeshop.com/blog/2009/11/30/stumbling-block-5-perfectionism/comment-page-1/#comment-1049 Tammy Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:49:28 +0000 http://www.writeshop.com/blog/?p=1482#comment-1049 I don't know if you would call my three daughters perfectionists when it comes to writing. Writing is the subject they dislike the most because they don't like that it is not instantly completed as their workbooks or cd-rom programs are. Your Writeshop program has helped. They absolutely love your story builders. I believe their big hang-up is the fact they have to write and rewrite. Hopefully these ten tips will be helpful with our journey. Thanks I don’t know if you would call my three daughters perfectionists when it comes to writing. Writing is the subject they dislike the most because they don’t like that it is not instantly completed as their workbooks or cd-rom programs are. Your Writeshop program has helped. They absolutely love your story builders. I believe their big hang-up is the fact they have to write and rewrite. Hopefully these ten tips will be helpful with our journey. Thanks

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