overlaylink

Perfectionism Is Making You Worse at Art

Michael Archambault
July 26, 2024 | 3 min read

"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft."

Anne Lamott

First drafts will never be perfect; this is not a remark to demoralize writers but a sincere reminder of actuality.

Writers and editors have typed, erased, rewritten, and edited the article you are reading. We have transformed the first unkempt draft into a more refined set of ideas.

That's a critical part of the writing process. So focusing on getting it perfect the first time? That's not only impossible — it's going to hinder your progress.

Let's explore the concept of perfectionism — only accepting something free of all flaws — and learn how overcoming that view of your work could be the most significant step you take on your writing journey.

Overcoming a Fear of Failure

Many writers strive for perfection. We repeatedly set unrealistically high bars that set us up for future failure. Ironically, we strive for perfection because of our internal fear of failure.

Ensuring that every word we put on the page is perfect, we reason, will decrease our chances of being judged or criticized.

But that's just not reality.

The competitive progress-based society we live in doesn't help either. In a world where success and high achievement are valued, presenting a work less than perfect feels akin to defeat. Just turn on the news, browse social media, or chat with colleagues to quickly see how we relentlessly showcase (seemingly) flawless success. (Spoiler alert: That's not real, either.)

The biggest problem is that perfectionism is like a drug for those who find joy in external validation. We set the power of validation in individuals around us rather than ourselves. Of course, this is harmful, as it's impossible for any large mass of people to unanimously view an author or story as perfect.

The danger in this search for perfection is that it interrupts our creative process, and we never finish — or start! — a project at all.

Even Stephen King, who has published over sixty novels, ten short story collections, and five non-fiction works, continues to receive his share of ridicule. How does he break through the fear of failure to create anyway?

"You can't please all the readers all the time; you can't even please some of the readers all the time, but you should at least try to please yourself."

Stephen King

Attacking Perfectionism Head-On

As in many mental battles, the most important — and challenging — move is simply to let go. Transform the idea of perfectionism into improvement.

By focusing on perfectionism, we create a mental space where we over-process and find ourselves in worlds of indecision — we block out the sun and cease to grow, diminishing our potential.

Prevent this by embracing a growth mindset. Start by setting achievable goals and realistic deadlines for your writing. Focus on just drafting, not editing as you go.

We recommend learning how to freewrite. Peter Elbow, an English professor focusing on writing theory and practice, popularized writer Ken Macrorie's initial notion — don't worry about perfectionism; just get words on the page.

To do this, a writer shuts off the critical part of their brain (aka the inner critic) and focuses on exploring inner creativity. When freewriting, the writer doesn't stop to research or go back and edit — they just write.

Write first and come back later to edit; the key to overcoming perfection is to create a distinction between these two different steps of the writing process.

Write first and come back later to edit; the key to overcoming perfection is to create a distinction between these two different steps of the writing process.

Your Journey with Freewriting

If you're having trouble separating the writing process from the editing process, you may benefit from a purpose-designed tool like the Freewrite Smart Typewriter.

We also recommend starting with our FREE ultimate guide to freewriting!

September 10, 2025 3 min read

The Freewrite 500 Writing Contest — Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: 10-09-2025

By submitting an entry to The Freewrite 500 Writing Contest (the “Contest”), you agree to abide by the following Terms and Conditions.

1. Organizer

The Contest is organized by Freewrite, a brand owned and operated by Astrohaus, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Freewrite”, “we”, “our”, or “us”).

2. Eligibility

  • The Contest is open to individuals who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.

  • Employees of Freewrite, the Flash Fiction Institute, and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.

  • Void where prohibited by law.

3. How to Enter

  • Entries must be submitted through the official entry form before Monday, September 22.

  • Entries must be original works of flash fiction no longer than 500 words.

  • All submissions must be the original work of the entrant.

  • Only one entry per person is allowed.

  • Entries must be written in English.

  • The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. EST on September 22, 2025. Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.

4. Entry Requirements

  • Submissions must be the entrant’s own original work and must not have been previously published, including on personal blogs or social media.

  • Entries must not contain any material that is obscene, offensive, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate.

  • By entering, you confirm that your submission does not infringe on any third-party rights, including copyright, trademark, or privacy rights.

5. Judging and Winner Selection

  • All eligible entries will be judged by a panel of reviewers affiliated with Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute.

  • Judging criteria include length, creativity, and adherence to theme, and overall quality of writing.

  • The winner will be notified via email.

6. Use of Generative AI Prohibited

  • The use of generative AI in the creation of a submission for this competition is prohibited.

  • The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that is suspected to have been generated, in whole or in part, using generative AI tools (including but not limited to text-generating algorithms, large language models, or similar technologies).

7. Prize

  • The winning entry will be published on both the Freewrite Blog and the Flash Fiction Institute Blog.

  • The winner will receive recognition across Freewrite and Flash Fiction Institute's social media platforms.

  • No cash prizes will be offered. Prizes include a Freewrite Traveler, a Words Are Hard writing prompt deck, publication on the Freewrite blog and the Flash Fiction Institute blog, and a free flash gym session hosted by the Flash Fiction Institute.

8. Rights and Usage

  • By entering the contest, entrants grant Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute first publication rights. This means Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute have a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to publish, reproduce, and distribute the submitted entry in connection with the promotion of the Contest, including on their websites, blogs, email newsletters, social media channels, and more.

  • After initial publication, all rights revert back to the author, who is then free to republish or distribute their work elsewhere. However, we request that any subsequent publication acknowledges Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute as the original place of publication.

  • The winning author will be credited by name or preferred pen name when their work is published.

9. Privacy

  • Personal information collected during the entry process will be used only for the administration of the Contest and in accordance with Freewrite’s Privacy Policy.

  • Entrants may be contacted by Freewrite regarding their submission or related opportunities.

10. Disqualification

Freewrite reserves the right to disqualify any entry that:

  • Violates these Terms and Conditions,

  • Is found to contain plagiarized material,

  • Is deemed offensive or inappropriate,

  • Is submitted by someone ineligible.

11. Limitation of Liability

Freewrite is not responsible for:

  • Lost, late, incomplete, or misdirected entries;

  • Technical failures of any kind;

  • Any injury or damage to persons or property related to participation in the Contest.

12. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [Insert State], without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

13. Contact

For any questions regarding the Contest, please contact us at:
📧 hello@getfreewrite.com.

September 10, 2025 1 min read

One blank page. 500 words. Zero fear. Let’s see what happens when you stop thinking and just go. It's the Freewrite 500, presented in collaboration with the Flash Fiction Institute.

August 22, 2025 3 min read

Most of us are surrounded by screens all day. To get your writing done, take writer Shannon Liao's advice and unplug.