I’ve been asked to write a book review by a magazine. Yesterday I wrote the first 500 words in 20 minutes. The next 500 words took 40 minutes. Then I spent 90 minutes getting rid of 350 words so as to meet the required word count while retaining the points I thought most important. Now I wait in trepidation for the email that says, “This is cr*p".” I experience this every single time, despite the fact that I’ve been writing and getting published for 35 years, and never received that email. As my American friends would say: go figure.
Update:
I have had an email from the editor saying it’s a great read, and that he will be in touch if there are any tweaks to be made. Phew!