Even now – at my age – it still hurts.
Lies are the worst but even evasions or dissembling or attempts to protect with total fibs hurt.
I am so NOT perfect. Foibles R Me. And brutal honesty stings like hell but in the long run it’s preferable.
P.S. I’m a brilliant critique partner….much kinder in my brutality than those in the business of publishing. Trust me – I know :o)