DC is a rating, which map moderators can deal out to maps. So if you make something really great, you should be getting the rating. But don't expect it.
The best projects are made when people make them for their own sake. If you make something to please somebody else, it won't be as good as only YOU know what YOU want. If you are true to yourself and do what you think is good, you should not need somebody else's acknowledgement anyway.
Work on your map as long as you love doing so, and if you eventually actually finish it, then release it and see what happens, but don't feel bad if people don't like it as long as you like it yourself.