Do creators have to nurture their ideas to full bloom before placing the harsh glare of judgment on them?
Absolutely.
An idea is a gift. We must build an inner fortress around this gift right from its seedling phase.
Just as you would not leave a newborn child in the care of wolves, it is imperative that no critical eye penetrate this sanctuary while a project is in its infancy.
Twilight Warrior is a comic I’m writing (with art by Coskun Kuzgun) which grew from an idea that has evolved over 20 years to its current iteration. In all that time the basic concept, an ancient warrior soul occupying the body of a young woman, has not changed.
How will we know when the time is right for evaluation?
Just as every child has different needs, each creation demands its own development time frame. As creators, we must be sensitive to what is appropriate at each stage.
Look after your idea. Shower it with the love and care it deserves. Thinking and analysing can help, but be aware that it can also kill.
Knowing the right balance often comes down to intuition and experience.