Behinds Quote by Lawrence Block
“One thing that helps is to give myself permission to write badly. I tell myself that I'm going to do my five or 10 pages no matter what, and that I can always tear them up the following morning if I want. I'll have lost nothing-writing and tearing up five pages would leave me no further behind than if I took the day off.”
About This Quote
Allowing yourself to write poorly removes perfectionism, enabling consistent practice and creative freedom.
In simple terms: Write badly to keep writing.
Key Takeaway
Write without fear of quality.
Themes
creativity
discipline
self‑compassion
Mood
encouraging
practical
Type
motivational
creative
When to use this quote
- daily writing
- creative blocks
- skill development
Key Concepts
writing process
habit formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you write if you feared no judgment?
- How does imperfect writing affect your confidence?
A Different Perspective
Bad drafts may reinforce negative self‑talk if not reframed.
![“We're [writers] all afraid of writing badly, and there are psychological reasons, like the bad interior of ourselves is somehow being revealed, but we all fear that, and you can't write well if you're not willing to write badly. That's why you have to make writing a habit, so it feels normal and…” quote by Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c14/jennifer-egan-825_feels_we-re-writers-all-afraid-of-writing-badl_988189.jpg)
