Noticing Newbies

Hi there!

I'm a noob here and a noob in general to writing groups. I've been a closet writer for most of my life. Why, you say? Fear, as fear does, is often foremost in reasons. Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of maybe having others look too closely at me. Writing is personal. A part of yourself. It took a while for me to open up and share. Now I'm ready but ignorant on how to get the feedback I need to grow and possibly publish what I've spent a lifetime writing. Please check out my preface to my first novel. Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm actively reading and commenting on many posts I've read. Hoping to contribute as well as benefit from the mass of knowledge this site offers. Thanks for having me!