Depends on which circle of friends and which family members.
Let me explain.
My husband has never read any of my work, and I doubt he ever will. It's not that he doesn't support me. He does, drives me to local conventions, puts up with me vanishing to three or four day ones, but he won't read my work. He says it is a choice he has made, because, and I see his point, if he says something critical, he knows I would get defensive, we would most likely argue each point and I would most likely stop writing, and that he does not want me to do.
My girls on the other hand do read my work, do tell me what they think and we don't argue, I accept their opinion.
My old, as in non writing circle of friends and other family members often think I am a bit strange and view my writing as a long term hobby and being published is a nice thing for me.
Friends I have met through my writing, on forums, at Conventions are very supportive, and we speak the same language and have the same goals and fears, which helps in many ways.
The thing is writing is something I do, because I can do it.
