FRIEND CRITICIZES THEIR SONGS

Dear Jellybean,

My best friend and I have just started to write songs together. I usually write most of the lyrics (my friend contributes some) and then she will find the melody and beat. The songs we write I think are pretty good and we want to start a band. The problem is that this girl at school (lets call her N) who is also my friend is constantly looking for ways to bring us down. She says that I have written them all wrong and then takes the song, rewrites it, and then says to use that. All of my other friends say that they love our songs but N just keeps swallowing our joy. Do you have any way to tell N politely that my other friend and I don’t like her reprimanding us? I don’t want to hurt her feelings, either.
-Half of Songwriting Duo

Dear Half of Songwriting Duo,

The next time N goes to rewrite one of your songs, you could say, "Oh, is that how you crafted your latest hit single? Funny, I don't remember seeing it on iTunes." Point is, if she was such an expert, she'd be a famous songwriter. She's not, so she has no business editing your work, unless you ask her to do so as a favour. Say it with humour, but say it. If she doesn't get it, there's nothing wrong with saying, "I wasn't really asking for your advice, we love this song the way it is." And if that doesn't work, you might want to stop showing her your songs, if she can't receive them in the spirit of support and friendship.