The Merit of the Maker, and the Democracy of Ideas

If you’re writing, you’re publishing. If you’re publishing, you have critics. Here’s how to make peace with that on the front end. Hint: meritocracy is your friend.

I believe in the democracy of ideas. I believe that ideas get better when tested, then tested again. 

I believe in meritocracy—the best ideas rise to the top, take hold of the imagination and change lives. This puts another shade on the democracy of ideas. It’s not about what’s popular. It’s about what has merit.

All makers have merit. I believe we all belong. If you’re a writer, then what you’re after is not popularity but excellence.

But when you’re writing, you’re taking a risk that not everyone will like what you write. Or worse, oppose it vehemently. Or worse than that: Won’t even care to read it.

Some of us are great with managing the thorny issue of critics, both external and internal—some let imagined critics hold us back from writing.