1) Write poetry, preferably non-rhyming. Most people don’t “get” poetry anyway, so eventually you get used to a slightly bewildered response, followed quickly by an attempt to say something either nice or intelligent. These opinions therefore don’t need to count for much.

2) Join a writer’s group. My best ever creative writing course was structured this way, and there’s nothing quite like sitting in a room with 10 other nervous writers who have to show their work to make you realise we’re all a bit scared what other people think of our creative babies, and we’re all better at writing than we think we are. Constructive criticism and genuine enthusiasm eventually flow, even for those whose work you don’t really “get” either.

3) Last, and probably least for most people, find a forum in which to read out your work in public to a bunch of complete strangers (although a few supportive loved ones will help settle the nerves a bit). It’s absolutely terrifying! But afterwards the audience will have formed an opinion about your work and you will never know what it is, which is quite liberating….

Good crit buddies are truly like gold – I’ve been lucky to find 2 online. Don’t think I could get the honesty I need from my family!

Thanks for commenting Carrie