And no, I don’t just mean putting socks on…
…I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and let other people read my writing. To wit, I’ve signed up for an authors’ round-table podcast, and I’ll admit, I’m anxious as heck over it.
So, for those of you further down the road from me… How do you detach? I keep feeling like any criticism of my writing is inherently criticism of -me-, and that makes me recoil from the possibility of showing things.
I’d be thankful for any advice!
There are lots of free sites that let you post your writing, and other writers will comment on it (and they expect you to do the same for them). It’s easier to stomach negative comments from strangers than from people who know you. Also, keep in mind that every criticism that leads to an improvement in your craft is a good thing. So bite the bullet and just do it!
Edit: http://www.writerscafe.org/ is just one example
Well, I actually started by finishing the story and sending it out to editors. One eventually wrote back “I’d like you see more of your work,” and I knew I was doing OK.
But what you have to bear in mind is they’re not criticizing you. They’re criticizing the electronic equivalent of pieces of paper with words typed on it. (At least, if it’s a decent writing group – and if they belittle you personally, they’re assholes, so you should look elsewhere.)
I signed up for a cheap 8-week “Advanced Creative Writing” class in the Community Adult Ed part of my local high school. I have been a writer since high school, published a magazine for a considerable length of time, worked as a technical writer for a major international express freight company, got a book trade-published (not a vanity press) which won a very small (non-monetary) national award, and freelanced for a newspaper when they would let me … and I STILL THINK I CAN’T WRITE! The issue is … what I write about is a very niche topic, and I have very little self-confidence.
The group (6 people from all walks of life & circumstances) are all pulling together to encourage all of us, and we are putting out some great stuff!
It was well worth getting over my personal terror. Go for it 
You can’t grow without leaving your comfort zone. Simple as that. Which do you want: to grow, or to be comfortable? Decide and accept the consequences. It’s ok if you decide you’d rather be comfortable, and just write for yourself without ever putting yourself out there to be criticized. Just own that it’s your choice. If you decide to grow, know and accept that people WILL say things that will wound you, maybe deeply. They may say them intentionally, or accidentally, but it WILL happen, eventually.