What Should You Learn NextNot sure where to start? Take the free What Should You Learn Next quiz
What Should You Learn NextNot sure where to start? Take the free What Should You Learn Next quiz
What Should You Learn NextNot sure where to start? Take the free What Should You Learn Next quiz
What Should You Learn NextNot sure where to start? Take the free What Should You Learn Next quiz
What Should You Learn NextNot sure where to start? Take the free What Should You Learn Next quiz
Take the Skills Quiz →

Free preview: Why finishing beats perfecting — Creative Writing Starter Workshop

Free preview lesson · Creative Writing Starter Workshop · Module 1: The only rule that matters: finish things

Why finishing beats perfecting

There is one rule that matters more than any other when you are starting out: finish things. A finished imperfect piece teaches you more than a perfect opening you never complete.

Why finishing beats perfecting

Endings are where you learn structure, pacing and payoff. If you only ever write openings, you only ever practise openings. Finishing also builds the confidence to start the next piece.

Lower the bar for the first draft

A first draft only needs to exist. Give yourself permission to write badly, skip descriptions you cannot get right yet and leave notes like '[fix this later]'.

Make the piece small

Pick something you can finish in a week: a 500-word scene, a short personal essay, a single conversation between two characters.

Common pitfall

Going back to polish the first paragraph every time you sit down. Keep moving forward until you reach the end.

Action step

Choose a small piece you can finish this week and write the final sentence first, so you know where you are heading.

This is one lesson from Creative Writing Starter Workshop.

Enroll now — $37 See the full curriculum

Educational content only. No income, revenue or earnings results are promised or implied. No certification, licence or professional credential is awarded.

Editorial & AI Disclosure