I am not a professional writer - far from it - but I think if you really love to write you have to take the bad with the good. I don't know of any published authors who don't go through what you two are describing, and I know that it takes many, many rejections before "hitting it big." Don't give up, and try to take the criticism/suggestions as they're meant - as a way to help you improve. If someone really doesn't gel with your writing goals, then perhaps find another beta/publisher/whatever, but don't quit as long as you are enjoying writing would be my advice. *hugs*