I hate false praise.  I hate fake admiration.  I ABSOFUGGINLUTELY hate telling a writer their work was AWESOME just for the sake of sparing feelings...
I'm not that girl.
I see it like this, I dont OWE you anything and if your feelings are worn on your shoulder to the point you take offense to constructive criticism, then you are DEFINITELY in the wrong game.  Friends/Acquaintences or not, when it comes to business it is what it is.  If I think your story SUCKS then guess what that's MY OPINION.  I am sure SOMEONE out there will like it because as a writer friend once told me, "There is an audience out there for everyone."
She couldn't have been more correct.
I have recently joined a new publishing family (Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing, LLC) and they are the type of company who believes there is an audience for everyone (Love them!)  Unfortunately, new authors/writers are coming into this sense of ENTITLEMENT and all of them think their story is the best and unique.  Normally I wouldn't care but as I have begun doing some promo work for them for their books (which I absolutely dont mind...I support Indie Publishers and bookstores...and they in NO WAY abuse my kindness which is why I love them) I have noticed a growing trend.  The entitlement and sequential praise that their "Fans" give them for works that they have NEVER EVEN READ baffles me.  
I CANT STAND HANDOUTS.
I see so many "awesome, I cant wait for your book" or "you're a great writer" and I KNOW (sometimes for FACT) that some of these same people secretly are annoyed and cannot stand the premise for said work let alone looks forward to reading it.  It's heartbreaking.  I am all for support and upliftment but you are setting your "FRIENDS" up for failure and disappointment.  How do you expect anyone to WORK, BETTER THEMSELVES, OR GROW, when you are assisting in giving them what I deem a NARCISSITIC view of their work.  (Sorry that's the Therapist in me).  If they get offended for you telling the truth then they need to get out of the writing game STAT.  Rejection comes with the territory.  J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter was rejected 12 times before she got a yes.  Furthermore as writers, why get offended?  If you ask someone their opinion who are you to get upset with they give it?  They are only giving you what you asked for? For example, I hate SCI-FI so asking me my opinion on a SCI-FI story would be pretty much dumb on your part.  
One way to combat this problem I am seeing is for people to get a TRUE critique partner.  You need a CRIT partner that will NOT spare your feelings and tell you what you need to work on, what works, and what is completely and utterly STUPID about your MS.  Any CRIT partner that reads your story and on the FIRST read tell you they ABSOLUTELY LOVED EVERYTHING is a bold face lie and you should be weary.  They are setting you up for disappointment to spare your feelings or not sound like a bitch.  If you are lucky enough to get a "already published" author as a crit partner that also helps.  
That is why I absoltely love my critique partner.
A published writer with a proven track record and similiar outtake on everything that is life like myself, my critique partner ZEE MONDEE is the BOMB DIGGITY.  I send her my MS and even simple things she doesn't like (like the friggin name of a character) she let's me know.  
"I cannot stand the name of the character...it sounds so plain," was her exact words.
THAT'S what I am talking about...LET ME KNOW!
She is also not afraid to tell me when I am "Fuggiin up", "You need to get cracking on the rest of your MS so I can read it!"  Almsot makes me feel bad for procrastinating or starting something else!  Did I mention she is a fabulous writer?  I am so lucky to have her on my team.  You can't have her though, go find your own.  
I'm serious...
You need one like NOW, because I am going to start being mean to some of you all about your work and your attitudes.  Not everyone can be fortunate enough to have writer friends like me who keep me grounded like my critique partner.  A special thanks to my SEASONED/VETERAN writer friends who continue to keep it "100%" with me and keep reminding me that being a "Writer" is more than just getting "published" and that sometimes the truth is what you need to hear to succeed.  These ladies are the ONLY ones I would trust to tell me the truth no matter how much it hurts because I asked for it and needed to hear it.  Delilah Devlin, Megan Heart, Yvonne Nicholas, and Debra Glass.  I appreciate you all.
Much Love~SK
P.S.  Check out my fabulous crit partner here...http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?i...