Write Away

You don't sound awful. I'm one of the people who does actually use my writing to show off - not by letting people read it, but there's something hugely egotistically gratifying about someone asking what I do and getting to say "I'm writing a novel." Because the reaction is /always/ impressed. And I don't feel bad about saying it because I'm not exaggerating at all.

For actual reading of my writing, I have one friend I have read my rough drafts, for the sole purpose of getting to hear someone say "omg that's amazing!" Sometimes I have questions about whether something works well, and I always want her to let me know if she sees a real problem, but it's pretty much just for that ego boost. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It encourages me to keep going.

I'm also terrible at taking criticism, and I know I'm going to need to get a lot better at it, but I also don't think there's anything wrong with that, or with doing certain activities and not wanting constructive criticism about them. Especially for things that are just hobbies, sometimes improving through outside feedback isn't the point. I don't think you're wrong.