And then I read the final version a few days/weeks later, and I'm like... who wrote this? It sounds actually pretty good???
Turns out editing is great, who knew.
Every single month I have the same journey with my column pieces:
Ooh I have a good idea > yay writing > oh god, prose is insufficient and I suck at it > GOOD ENOUGH > last double check I hate this sennnddd > I AM PERCEIVED BY THE EDITOR IN ALL MY HUMAN FLAWS > yeah ok better > done now, begone!
My column for June is up - this time tackling a book with a fun little structural trick up its sleeve. More books should do this sort of mild nonsense; I loved it in Three Eight One by Aliya Whiteley and I love it here too.