It’s said that a poem is never finished, only abandoned. This could apply to any creation, of course, but it’s said a lot with poetry because tiny revisions matter so much it’s hard to stop doing them. As I prepare to pronounce Poppytown ready for publication (in the midst of the mental health crises happening in my family, and yes, I’m clinging to my writing projects when I can as a way to keep centered) this saying is right on target.
Poppytown, my poetry compilation about the opioid epidemic, is a true labor of love years in the making. Calling it done really does feel like abandonment. And I question my decisions…am I stopping too soon? Could it be better, or much better, if I spent another month or year on it? Am I being influenced by my desire to have the pleasant feelings that come from having a new book?
Perfectionism is almost always my enemy. But I do want to make sure impatience and eagerness to have more energy for my next projects aren’t the only things driving me. I want to make sure, as much as possible, that finishing the book benefits it and my life more than continuing with it would.
Lori Lynne Armstrong 
Deciding when it’s DONE is always an impossible choice. I think every time I decide to publish a book, I’m basically holding my nose and jumping in feet first.