Writing Isn't Imprisonment.

"Is this writing or imprisonment?"

While writing, have you ever worried, 'If I write this, A might misunderstand again?', or 'What if B thinks my writing is bad again this time?' Or any other concerns.

The creative process is full of countless 'what ifs'. The hearts of creators who strive to unfold precious stories in their own voices sometimes hesitate in the face of external perspectives and evaluations.

However, to truly give birth to a masterpiece, one must escape from thoughts and situations that are akin to imprisonment.

If you want to gain wealth and fame through writing, you naturally need to consider your readers. But it's impossible to bear all the absurd criticism and the blame that hinders writing. Moreover, creation is an act that pursues freedom and has value in itself, so we must always protect the freedom to create.

It's good to offer opinions. But if, after much thought, you don't feel any inner comfort or gratitude towards the person offering the opinion? You need to reconsider.

• Even sharp criticism, if accurate, gives the creator a sense of inner relief. -Julia Cameron
  
  
  
  
  
• Unhelpful criticism feels painful. It fosters shame, is vague and personal, inaccurate and blind. Such irresponsible criticism is not worth considering. -Julia Cameron

Julia Cameron, the author of <The Artist's Way>, which is beloved by many, also stated that irresponsible criticism is not worth considering.

Looking back, it's true. What value is there in words carelessly uttered by someone who has no right to evaluate my writing? They likely didn't mean it with the sincere desire for my well-being, nor have they considered the depth of the content and value embedded within the writing. (Moreover, there are people who fill their self-esteem by putting others down.)

Do you know that a single word has the power to awaken the soul? Sometimes, words are treasured more than jewels. As such, the power of words is more important than anything else.

Are there people around you who carelessly make pronouncements about your writing? For a writer, someone's indiscriminate words can create a sense of being watched, and forced criticism can be upsetting. Therefore, writers have the right to politely refuse words that seem intentionally obstructive and unhelpful to their creative activities.

Let's not forget that a single word can inflict great hurt or, conversely, offer great comfort. Our creative journey requires more encouragement and understanding. We need to surround ourselves with people who can instill positive energy, listen to their kind words, and continue on our creative path.

• Inexperienced and harsh critics can kill a work of art instead of nurturing it to completion. -Julia Cameron
  
  
  
  

We must not allow the work we've poured our hearts into and our creativity to die. Creators have the right to defend themselves. This is not about ignoring all criticism and opinions, but about finding and accepting the right kind of criticism. We must cultivate the ability to recognize when criticism is necessary and whose criticism is appropriate.

Even if you've truly written a terrible piece, it doesn't matter. It will be the stepping stone you need for your next piece. Creative work can't be perfect from the start. People who seem perfect have worked hard hundreds or thousands of times. Whether it's terrible or not, the effort of building one piece of work at a time is more important.