I know writers who have been writing your years but have not submitted their work for others to read. I understand the hesitation, and the fact that having others read our work is a little like exposing ourselves in public. However, if your aim is to get published, you must allow others read your work. I like critique groups of no more than 5 persons, and exclude relatives and friends. Critique groups tell me what works and what does not in my writing. They also catch my grammatical errors. Beginning writers can submit their work to newsletters and newspapers after at least one other person has read it. Start small if you are shy, and submit to larger venues as you grow. Keep writing.