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 such a seed, a germ of an idea that has evolved over 20 years to its current iteration. This evolution encompassed 5 volumes of a series called Twilight Lady, which ended in 2014.
Since then, I have spent much time developing Twilight Warrior, a new series which expands on the basic concept – an ancient warrior soul occupying the body of a young musician. A character who embodies the eternal conflict between creator and destroyer.
When does the creator end and the destroyer begin? How does an artist know when the time is right for critical evaluation of her work?
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 creations. Shower them with the love and care they deserve. Thinking and analysing can help, but be aware that it can also kill.
Knowing the right balance often comes down to intuition and experience.
