Longest avenue of lime trees in the world?

Nobody I know will criticize my writing. Where can I post my work to get criticism without risk of theft?

• I'm sick of people telling me my writing is good. When I specifically ask for criticism on Y!A, I just get trolls. I need constructive criticism so that I can get my writing up to spec and ready for the publishing world. I am writing a breakthrough novel right now, and I feel it may be too dull to capture the attention of high school through college age kids like it needs to. It's supposed to be a horror-survival novel with romantic aspects, taking place in a city falling apart. I just feel that it's too boring to pick up! I mean, for example, this is how I start it: The Grand Cherokee edged along on I.U. Boulevard, a long double-lane road that sprouted north from the university. The Jeep passed by the decorative trees planted adjacent to the sidewalk, and the small businesses, with roads that led off into student suburbs and more businesses, all dotting the landscape. Connor steadily drove in the right lane, traveling a few miles under the speed limit. Cars would occasionally pass him. He did this to buy more time with the young woman sitting in the passenger’s seat. Laine decided to break the silence. “It’s not like I’m supposed to be everything Shawn dreams of, is it?” She shifted in her seat and reached for a Styrofoam cup of warm tea, nestled in the console. She brought it up to her lips, took a sip, and looked back over at Connor. He hesitated. “No, not really. When you do that, you’re just raising the standard. He’ll think you’re something you’re not,” he said, casually playing therapist. He enjoyed the role. He knew her better than anyone because of it. “If you really want him to love you, just be yourself.” “Be myself?” she snickered. “Connor, nobody likes it when I decide to be myself.” She looked back at him reluctantly, “well, you don’t seem to mind, but everyone else,” she snapped her fingers, “they learn their place.” He shook his head. “You’re not as bad as you think.” “Of course I am.” She brought her hands up to the dashboard, and lifted the tips of her fingers, admiring her nail polish. “I mean, like this color of polish.” She withdrew her hands. “I need it. You know?” “So? Some people are picky about their nail-polish,” he said. “Sort of like their clothes, their favorite restaurants, favorite cars…” He tried thinking of a better example. “You know how some people want to drive a Ford, and nothing else, while others want a Dodge, or a Chevy, and nothing else?” “Yeah I know that, but those are cars,” she said. “It’s polish for me. It needs to be Fifth Avenue. You know? It’s just so trivial…?” “It’s logical, Laine.” He chuckled. “Your favorite color is red. Doesn’t matter what it is, you’ve got to have something with you that’s red. It’s your thing.” She shrugged. “I guess so. I mean, it does make me…” “Unique?” He glanced over at her. She was looking out the window, now. “Yeah,” she answered. His eyes fell to the front of her red blouse for a moment, fixating on the bulge of her breasts. He let the SUV drift by its own accord down the road, as he pondered how it would feel to be in Shawn’s position. He clinched his teeth, realizing he was about to miss his turn. He made a hard right off of the double-lane road, down Haussler Drive. Her house was just down the street a ways. I just feel like that's not good enough. I will consider a prologue of course, but this character development may not catch the younger generation. Constructive criticism only, please. I can look at it and say "it sucks" myself. *WHAT* should I change to improve it?

• Answer:

  ---> I just feel like that's not good enough. That's your problem. You're unwilling to let your emotions slide and listen to the *positive* opinions of others. Honestly, the scene itself is a little boring. It's a humdrum conversation taking place in an SUV. Yawn! However, your writing makes it pop. You've managed to enhance a virtually "everyday" scene and keep one of the pickiest readers in Nevada(me) fixed on the narrative. Sure, you'll get those bullcrap answers that suck up to you for the ten points, but really take a look. Do you think they read the work? Does their answer exhibit a sort of literacy that isn't too common with bullcrap answers? I do see your point, though. worthyofpublishing.com is one website I've heard of that gives serious critiques. Really, your writing isn't terrible. It will never be "good enough" to you(the writer), so it's best to leave things be and keep writing. If you stick to one scene at a time, striving for perfection, *nothing* will get done. Perfection is unachievable, and you should reserve time for editing after the story is finished. Don't worry about it now. ~~ ††AnkhesenKheper†† Add: I'd also like to say that criticism isn't always the pointing out of flaws. It can target your strengths as well.