So I finally found a critical reading group.

[CherokeeDem]

1. It can rip your gut out....

if you let it. I found when I finally decided to be brave and put my work out to be critiqued, it wasn't as scary as I feared. Like you, I found the review by my writing group to be positive and the suggestions very helpful.

Hard? Absolutely, it is very hard. I think it was Hemingway, maybe, who said you sit down at the typewriter and bleed. It certainly feels that way at times. Those words represent our blood, tears and imagination on display for others to see. Writing is very personal and sometimes you feel like you're baring your soul to strangers.

Glad you found a group you are comfortable with, not an easy task. You're going to run into jerks from time to time who want to nitpick because it makes them feel superior. Writers, for the most part, love the craft so much they seem to be willing to help.

Best of luck!