How do I get critique?

[TheBryceKrispy]

I've been writing for years in secret like it was classified government information. I never show my writing to anyone and I mean anyone. If and only if we were close, I might mention it in passing, but that was only if we were close. I don't know why I hid it, I just did. My theory is that since my writing, like tons of other people's writing, is deeply personal so showing it to others is like showing parts of yourself. Or maybe it's because of my Mom. Who knows?

But through all this time I knew my writing sucked and I had no idea why it sucked. Still don"t. I want to improve so how do I get criticism? Like, is there a place for it or something? It feels weird just throwing it out there and being like, 'Here's my writing. So, how do I improve?' I would prefer my critic to be a honest stranger with a high tolerance for bad grammar.

Critique has too be honest. I'm one of those people that doesn't want people constantly telling me how great my work is. I want people telling me how I can improve.

[unknown_user]

Well. Create a topic, where you'll upload your work (or some parts of it) and say something like: "Please, give me a criticism and point out all mistakes without sugar-coating".
Or, alternatively, ask a friend about it, if you still don't want to show your work to everyone.

[ForLackOfStars]

Adding on to what tired_programmer said, finding a critique partner that you can swap work with can be really helpful. If you have any friends that write, consider asking whether they want to swap work or talk about writing with you. I've been exchanging drafts with a few of my friends for years now, and aside from bringing us closer together, I think it's made all of us better writers.

[ruanrunaruan]

There are a couple of online writer's groups you can join, critique for critique. I was on Scribophile for about a year and now I'm at Critique Circle. Nice groups and decent writers typically.