The Courage to Create (and How to Handle Criticism)

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In the world of creativity, putting your work out there takes real courage. If you're bold enough to share what you've made, rest assured someone will be equally bold in telling you they think it sucks.

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No matter how thick-skinned you are, criticism never feels good. But it's part of being a creator—someone who actually makes things, rather than just talks about making them.

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The key is not letting criticism weigh you down.

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As creatives, it’s essential to understand your audience—what they want, where to find them, and how to get them what you’ve made. But you can't let yourself get too hung up on the inevitable critics that come with having an audience.

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While we can’t control how people will respond to our work, what we can control is what we create, how we create it, and how we communicate our vision through essential marketing elements such as key art, trailers, and press.

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Once your work is out there, it’s in the hands of the audience to interpret and react as they see fit.

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So, when the critics rave, don’t get too high. When they don’t, don’t get too low. The focus should always remain on the craft and the message. Criticism is part of the journey, but it doesn't define the destination.

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Remember, it’s the ones brave enough to create who shape the world—not those who simply critique.

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