Artist Vs Critic

While researching and reading about creating music, I realized something and I would like to share that with you all. Although I was focusing on creating music I strongly believe this could apply to any field that involves creating something.

There are two roles to be played when creating anything. One is the role of an artist and another is the role of a critic.

The purpose of an artist is to create and solely to focus on creating at all costs.

The goal of a critic is to understand, evaluate, and decide based on the need and usefulness of the creation.

The same person can play both of these roles, but one cannot and should not play both roles at the same time. If you do, then that would impede your progress; maybe to a point where you won't even get started. So, when you are playing the role of an artist be true to it and create without hesitation, without any inhibition, and create relentlessly. That is not the time to be critical. You can play the role of a critic later.

The quote that is usually misattributed to Ernest Hemingway explains this in fewer words,

"Write Drunk, Edit Sober"