This isn& #39;t pointed at anyone in particular but addressing a trend I keep seeing in fannish spaces. I& #39;m going to tell you one of the most important things I learned in art school:

Never talk your own work down.

Don& #39;t apologize. Don& #39;t make excuses, and NEVER point out flaws.

I know it& #39;s tempting, especially if you can see flaws and they& #39;re driving you insane. If you know you were tired, if you know it& #39;s not your best. Don& #39;t do it. Present your work and let it speak for itself. If you have to make commentary, never criticize.

When you talk shit about your own work, three things happen: it devalues your work, it insults the taste of people who DO like your work (you are in fact talking shit about them), and it primes readers/viewers to look for flaws. You don& #39;t want them doing that.

On a long enough timeline, the world will knock your stuff down *plenty*. Don& #39;t you do it too. Be proud of the things you create, and if you can& #39;t be proud, at least fake it in public. If you really hate something you made that much, vent in private.