Writers do a lot of waiting. Some of it can't be avoided, while other times it's just procrastination or foolishness. For example, waiting for inspiration or the cool winds of autumn to tingle your artistic senses before writing, is a dumb idea.
But sometimes, life throws things at us that we just can't avoid, and you find yourself waiting. Maybe you'll start another writing project in the process, while the finished (or mostly finished) manuscript on your computer is just staring at you from the desktop. A few months ago, I submitted my novel to a writing contest and had to wait three weeks for a response. Sure, it was uncomfortable, but I got over it.
Currently, though, I'm experiencing a far more agonizing, although more type of exciting waiting. Perhaps I have mentioned before, that a few months ago I sent out queries to various agents. Three weeks ago, one of them replied, asking to see the entire manuscript. Obviously, I was over the moon. So before sending the entire book, I researched the agent one more time since I hadn't done so in a while. Aaaaaand it turns out, the woman who responded, is pretty gosh darn famous in the writing industry, and has published some iconic novels that have been made into movies. Yeah, I did a little happy dance when I discovered that. Okay, maybe a big happy dance. But who could blame me? When I mentioned the name to a few writer friend's of mine, they're eyes widened and they said, "Oh really? She's the real deal, you know."
Notwithstanding the fact that I know my story is currently being read with a critical and professional eye, I find it difficult to wait for a reply. Honestly, I wish they could just send me little emails every now again saying, "Just read chapter four, I like what I see so far!" But unfortunately, the world does not revolve around moi. *sigh*
Waiting isn't a bad thing. In fact, for us writers who tend to observe words all day via reading and writing, sometimes it's a good thing to stand back and take a break. When I finished the first draft of my novel, I printed it out, and left the copy in my closet for a few weeks before editing it again. And even during this time although I'm checking my email every half hour like a freak, I know this is giving me some time to breath and write like a clueless kid again. Lately, I've just been spitting out words on blank documents, and it feels great. So I would encourage you to do the same.
How has waiting benefited you? Or, how did you cope with it? Let me know in the comments!
Written by: Karoline Kingley
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Waiting - A Writer's Nightmare, or Secret Best Friend?
Writers do a lot of waiting. Some of it can't be avoided, while other times it's just procrastination or foolishness. For example, waiting for inspiration or the cool winds of autumn to tingle your artistic senses before writing, is a dumb idea.
But sometimes, life throws things at us that we just can't avoid, and you find yourself waiting. Maybe you'll start another writing project in the process, while the finished (or mostly finished) manuscript on your computer is just staring at you from the desktop. A few months ago, I submitted my novel to a writing contest and had to wait three weeks for a response. Sure, it was uncomfortable, but I got over it.
Currently, though, I'm experiencing a far more agonizing, although more type of exciting waiting. Perhaps I have mentioned before, that a few months ago I sent out queries to various agents. Three weeks ago, one of them replied, asking to see the entire manuscript. Obviously, I was over the moon. So before sending the entire book, I researched the agent one more time since I hadn't done so in a while. Aaaaaand it turns out, the woman who responded, is pretty gosh darn famous in the writing industry, and has published some iconic novels that have been made into movies. Yeah, I did a little happy dance when I discovered that. Okay, maybe a big happy dance. But who could blame me? When I mentioned the name to a few writer friend's of mine, they're eyes widened and they said, "Oh really? She's the real deal, you know."
Notwithstanding the fact that I know my story is currently being read with a critical and professional eye, I find it difficult to wait for a reply. Honestly, I wish they could just send me little emails every now again saying, "Just read chapter four, I like what I see so far!" But unfortunately, the world does not revolve around moi. *sigh*
Waiting isn't a bad thing. In fact, for us writers who tend to observe words all day via reading and writing, sometimes it's a good thing to stand back and take a break. When I finished the first draft of my novel, I printed it out, and left the copy in my closet for a few weeks before editing it again. And even during this time although I'm checking my email every half hour like a freak, I know this is giving me some time to breath and write like a clueless kid again. Lately, I've just been spitting out words on blank documents, and it feels great. So I would encourage you to do the same.
How has waiting benefited you? Or, how did you cope with it? Let me know in the comments!
Written by: Karoline Kingley
But sometimes, life throws things at us that we just can't avoid, and you find yourself waiting. Maybe you'll start another writing project in the process, while the finished (or mostly finished) manuscript on your computer is just staring at you from the desktop. A few months ago, I submitted my novel to a writing contest and had to wait three weeks for a response. Sure, it was uncomfortable, but I got over it.
Currently, though, I'm experiencing a far more agonizing, although more type of exciting waiting. Perhaps I have mentioned before, that a few months ago I sent out queries to various agents. Three weeks ago, one of them replied, asking to see the entire manuscript. Obviously, I was over the moon. So before sending the entire book, I researched the agent one more time since I hadn't done so in a while. Aaaaaand it turns out, the woman who responded, is pretty gosh darn famous in the writing industry, and has published some iconic novels that have been made into movies. Yeah, I did a little happy dance when I discovered that. Okay, maybe a big happy dance. But who could blame me? When I mentioned the name to a few writer friend's of mine, they're eyes widened and they said, "Oh really? She's the real deal, you know."
Notwithstanding the fact that I know my story is currently being read with a critical and professional eye, I find it difficult to wait for a reply. Honestly, I wish they could just send me little emails every now again saying, "Just read chapter four, I like what I see so far!" But unfortunately, the world does not revolve around moi. *sigh*
Waiting isn't a bad thing. In fact, for us writers who tend to observe words all day via reading and writing, sometimes it's a good thing to stand back and take a break. When I finished the first draft of my novel, I printed it out, and left the copy in my closet for a few weeks before editing it again. And even during this time although I'm checking my email every half hour like a freak, I know this is giving me some time to breath and write like a clueless kid again. Lately, I've just been spitting out words on blank documents, and it feels great. So I would encourage you to do the same.
How has waiting benefited you? Or, how did you cope with it? Let me know in the comments!
Written by: Karoline Kingley
4 comments :
AnonymousAugust 26, 2013 at 9:00:00 PM PDTOh that's so exciting!! I hope you hear back from her soon! :)
ReplyDelete
As far as waiting, I can't offer much advice or experience on it. I am the WORST at waiting. People are always telling me "patience is a virtue, Beth!" But it never really works...
Haha! Although patience IS a virtue, I don't think there is much wrong with feeling a bit fidgety and nervous when waiting as long you don't worry yourself to bits about it :)
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That's pretty intense!
ReplyDelete
Although I haven't experienced that much anxiety over my writing,I can say I have expereinced some. Several weeks ago, I shipped my child *cough cough* I mean, manuscript, off to several different publishers. I haven't heard back from a single one of them.
Sure I'm anxious, but I've learned that constantly thinking about the thing you're waiting for doesn't do a bit of good. In fact, it usually makes things worse.
Try distracting yourself with other writing projects, or hobbies. There are lots of things you can do--watch tv, read books, go on snipe hunts, learn how to make duck calls--while you're waiting.
Best of luck!Good advice! I'm so excited for you that you've taken this step forward. Keep submitting your "baby" because even though the rejections will come it all pays off when somebody says yes!
ReplyDelete
Side note: have you queried any literary agents? They're your best shot of getting noticed by a publisher. Once an agent agrees to represent you, they'll do a lot of the hard work for you. Just a tip from one writer to another :)
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Oh that's so exciting!! I hope you hear back from her soon! :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as waiting, I can't offer much advice or experience on it. I am the WORST at waiting. People are always telling me "patience is a virtue, Beth!" But it never really works...
Haha! Although patience IS a virtue, I don't think there is much wrong with feeling a bit fidgety and nervous when waiting as long you don't worry yourself to bits about it :)
DeleteThat's pretty intense!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I haven't experienced that much anxiety over my writing,I can say I have expereinced some. Several weeks ago, I shipped my child *cough cough* I mean, manuscript, off to several different publishers. I haven't heard back from a single one of them.
Sure I'm anxious, but I've learned that constantly thinking about the thing you're waiting for doesn't do a bit of good. In fact, it usually makes things worse.
Try distracting yourself with other writing projects, or hobbies. There are lots of things you can do--watch tv, read books, go on snipe hunts, learn how to make duck calls--while you're waiting.
Best of luck!
Good advice! I'm so excited for you that you've taken this step forward. Keep submitting your "baby" because even though the rejections will come it all pays off when somebody says yes!
ReplyDeleteSide note: have you queried any literary agents? They're your best shot of getting noticed by a publisher. Once an agent agrees to represent you, they'll do a lot of the hard work for you. Just a tip from one writer to another :)