Perfection Paralysis: The Creative Chokehold That Silences New Writers. Stop comparing your first draft to a finished piece. It’s time to find your authentic voice.
As a new writer, I sat and typed slowly. I paused, scanning over the lines I wrote, as if I were reading them for the first time. A frown creased my brow, deepening as I reread the lines. It wasn’t good. I let out a frustrated sigh, an exclamation, and impulsively deleted everything, back to the drawing board.
This scenario is familiar to most of us, especially new writers like me. Honestly, this wasn’t the article I was going to write for my second article. But I need to get this off my chest. And maybe it will resonate with some of the new writers out there. So what am I talking about?
Well, I think you can guess from the opening scene I presented. Perfection paralysis—that’s what I call it. I don’t know if there’s an official term, but it’s the right label for this creative chokehold. And let’s be very clear here. This paralysis is as deadly to a new writer as kryptonite is to Superman. I know this is true for me, and I suspect it’s quite common. With me, it’s the idea that my words are just not ‘good enough’.
‘Good Enough’: What Does That Even Mean?
And therein lies the question: ‘good enough’ for what? For who? In comparison to what? No one really knows. ‘Good enough’ can simply be anything that gets the core idea across. Remember, a first draft is merely a starting point. Don’t try to compare it to a finished, polished piece.
That fear of not being ‘good enough’ is enough to silence our voice as a writer. Being an authentic writer means opening up and expressing yourself without fear, being ‘naked before the world’, so to speak. If we can’t do that, our writing will feel inauthentic.
The Power of Authentic Writing
William Zinnser said in his book, On Writing Well, that as a writer, you need to:
“Believe in your own identity and your own opinions. Writing is an act of ego, and you might as well admit it. Use its energy to keep going.”
What I’m doing here is authentic writing. I urge all new writers to express themselves without fear! Not everyone will like your opinion, that’s okay. Some may think your writing is messy. That’s okay, too. But it’s YOUR messy. They are YOUR opinions.
They will connect with someone, somewhere, and you will find your audience, those who value you for being authentically you. You see, the act of writing isn’t just about creating words; it’s about creating connections. And in doing so, you are building something far greater than yourself.
Our journey as an authentic writer means speaking the truth in our hearts. Speak it quietly, and it will resonate far beyond what you can imagine. If this helps even one new writer, then it’s worth it. If you are scared, that’s okay. I was, and still am. I will still struggle with this for the foreseeable future.
Your skills won’t soar where you want them to, not yet. But just write without fear. Let those raw, unfiltered thoughts flow onto the page. See where it leads you.
“you can’t edit a blank page.”
— Jodi Picoult
Here are some things you can try:
The Rule of Zero Edits: Try creating a personal rule for the first draft. For example, vow not to hit the backspace key or read the draft until you hit a certain word count (like 500 words).
A “Permission to be Bad” Mantra: Permit yourself to write the absolute worst, most cliché-ridden first draft possible. This helps to reinforce the core message of writing without fear.
Focus on the Daily Output: One way you can measure success is by consistency, not quality. There are many ways success can be defined. Think about what a ‘win’ could look like for you. It could simply be writing for 15 minutes or finishing one paragraph, regardless of how messy it is.
The “Habit First, Skill Second” Approach: Forget about being a great writer at the beginning. It’s highly unlikely that a novice writer would win a Pulitzer Prize. Think about the more immediate goal of being a regular writer. This can help to manage expectations and give your skills time to soar. If you’re diligent with your education, you will get there; it’s just a matter of time. Meanwhile, you are slowly building an audience and finding your voice as a writer.
The Journey is the Destination
Above all, remember that writing is more about the journey than the destination. When we let go of fear, we can truly experience it. So write! Even if you write badly at first, just write! You won’t ever improve if you don’t take those first steps.
What’s your biggest struggle with starting a new article? Let me know!
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