Creator > Critic

Transition from critic to creator - Star Wars and the art of storytelling

In a world of critics, stand out as a creator.  

Stephen’s out this week getting in touch with nature in the mountain of West Virginia so I’m excited to share some encouragement for Star Wars fans coming from, of all places, a Star Trek actor.

I was listening to a recent episode of the RebelForce Radio podcast, Todd Stashwick, Captain Liam Shaw in the third season of Star Trek: Picard, shares a thought-provoking perspective on fandom. In the context of the current State of Star Wars, he encourages being a creator rather than a critic, treasuring the original Star Wars film as his cornerstone. 

Todd chooses to build rather than destroy. "I am a creator, not a critic." His philosophy is a refreshing alternative to the culture of criticism often prevalent in fandom today. In essence, he suggests focusing less on pointing out the flaws in others' work, and more on creating and refining our own. It's about adding to the world, infusing it with our ideas, rather than stripping it bare with our cynicism.

Todd's perspective illustrates the difficulty of creative storytelling. As a creator, you're tasked not with satisfying everyone, but with bringing a unique vision to life. This ethos embodies his views on the Star Wars sequel trilogy. (I know, we’re going there) Despite the polarization, Todd embraces the films. Not as worthy sequels to George Lucas’s Storytelling but as narratives within a universe he adores. His perspective serves as a reminder that joy and fulfillment stem more from the act of creation itself than from a futile pursuit of universal approval.

Stashwick's take on Star Wars also highlights the beauty of the franchise's variety. He praises the ways fans connect with the saga, whether through the Phantom Menace, (like me) The Clone Wars, or The Expanded Universe. Each of these entry points provides a unique experience, a testament to the power of the Star Wars universe to captivate audiences of different generations.

However, I found the most profound moment of the interview was Todd’s take on the original 1977 film. His deep affection for A New Hope exemplifies the abundance mindset. For Stashwick, the original is sufficient as the cornerstone of his love for the franchise. If there were nothing else, he would still be a huge Star Wars fan. Every subsequent story, every nook, and cranny explored in the galaxy far, far away, is a bonus—a gift adding richness to an already vibrant universe.

Each of us has our "Star Wars"—a cherished piece of the universe that brings us joy. We must treasure this and let it serve as our own cornerstone of fandom, cutting through the darkness of cynicism of culture today. We should aspire to be creators, not critics. As Stashwick beautifully expressed, "If something can bring you joy, may the force be freaking with you."

This is the way.