Perfectionism.
I’ve got it bad. I want everything perfect. All the time.
And it almost ruined so many things.
My love life.
I almost didn’t get serious with Steven. I was that way with everyone I dated. No one seemed “perfect.”
“There’s no such thing,” my therapist said. “There’s just getting to know each other. And whether you enjoy it.”
Thirteen years later, Steven and I are still enjoying getting to know each other.
Perfect.
My marriage.
I also almost didn’t ask Steven to marry me.
I wanted the “perfect” proposal. I waited and waited.
I thought maybe he would do it first. That didn’t seem perfect, either.
My big idea was to propose to him in the acknowledgments of my first novel. But was that perfect? Was that dumb? Saccharine? (And what if he said no!)
Then, when my book was coming out, I had cancer. I was sick and hairless and in chemo. Definitely not how I imagined it.
I did it anyway.
He said yes. A year later we were married.
Perfect.
You know what?
I like this.
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My play.
My play, Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist, almost didn’t happen.
I didn’t think my script was perfect.
I did readings. Revisions. More readings. More revisions—to the point of changing small words!
I did the play anyway.
We traveled the world and got standing ovations.
Perfect.
My writing workshop.
I thought for sure no one would want to take a workshop with me to learn how to write a book.
I made a PowerPoint. Then remade it. Then remade it.
I didn’t think it was perfect. Would anyone care?
I did it anyway.
It sold out.
Perfect.
(Shameless self-promotion! My next workshop is Saturday, November 7, at 10am PT. Five seats left. October’s workshop sold out. Details here.)
I could go on.
There are so many more things in my life that almost didn’t happen because I was paralyzed by perfectionism—being a TV news reporter, writing a book, making an indie movie.
So what helps me push through?
Try this →
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Hey, fellow traveler!
I’m Byron.
Keep going with me.
This section is full of stuff my therapist yells at me.
To access, become an official cult member.
We have snacks.
(See the snacks.)
One last thing.
You want to write a book.
It keeps not happening.
As I work on my next novel, I’m revisiting the tools and tricks that helped me get a two-book deal.
And now I wanna share those with you.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 · 10AM PT
ONLY 5 SPOTS LEFT (October workshop sold out)
“Byron Lane’s [writing] workshop was smart, funny, and inspiring. He is an engaging presenter, and despite having taken ALL of the workshops and having read ALL of the craft books, this workshop laid out a roadmap in a way I hadn’t seen before, and that felt exciting and accessible: I left feeling like ‘I can DO that!’ I came away inspired, informed, and with some solid book recommendations, to boot. Don’t miss this opportunity!”
—Stephanie Pasha, attendee, Byron’s October workshop“A rewarding workshop for both new and seasoned authors. I’ve written and released a dozen books, and I walked away feeling more confident than ever!”
—Lance Lansdale, attendee, Byron’s October workshop“Byron’s workshop provided practical, candid insights on his experiences as a writer that I found extremely valuable as I consider my own first novel. I look forward to learning more from him as I continue my journey.”
—Chris Glennon, attendee, Byron’s October workshop