There’s a regular column in Writing Magazine, called Under the Microscope, in which author James McCreet analyses the first few hundred words of a reader’s novel.

He’s notoriously unflinching in his critique and really gets into the nitty-gritty of what works – and mostly what doesn’t – in those all-important opening paragraphs.

Aaaaand, in the November issue (out next weekend) – the reader’s novel he will be ripping to shreds will be mine!

I’m terrified/can’t wait – but the most important thing I have to remember is that I generally agree with his criticisms, and I want to use this awesome opportunity to improve the opening to my novel, if I can.

It’ll be very interesting to see if I can keep my reaction objective, or if I’ll shrivel into a mess of self-doubt and despair.