The three people I would invite to dinner would be; Chris Brown to convince him to do a soundtrack for my book that Peter Jackson would direct and turn into an awesome movie, while J.K Rowland raises a glass and nod in a well done fashion.
I do! I criticize my writing enough to give myself bad reviews. I dont let them bother me, but a great review when someone gets the story.... I know I did my job.
Don't give up. You can step away when writing becomes too much or overwhelming. You have to love what you do. Going into writing for anything other then the joy of telling a story, you will quit. Its hard work.