Come join me in the IWSG group created by Alex Cavanaugh. We post the first Wednesday of each month! http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html
As we all know, the writing process is forever a waiting game. Shawn Spencer said it best, "Wait for iiiiiit." Yes, if you want to perfect your craft, publish your work, promote your writing and enter contests, it all takes TIME.
I entered Brenda Drake's #PitchWars contest in August. We found out the winners last night. That was the longest three weeks of my life. Waiting and hoping and praying I'd make it into this contest, was a true challenge of faith and stamina. And for the record, I did make it into the contest as an alternate. I am indeed honored! There were 75 mentors and thousands of contestants, but they could only pick one mentee and one alternate.
Everyday on Twitter, since the contest opened, the mentors reminded us to wait patiently. They mentioned the endless waiting game in the writing industry. If we are to succeed in this business, we must WAIT FOR IT.
What you have waited for in the past or are you waiting for something right now? Did you ever give up on something that you wish you had been more patient with?
The first time I submitted a book, I waited six months for a response--it was positive (more pages!), I waited six more months for the rejection that followed. Especially if it's "no," I wish publishers would just say it faster. The first thing to amaze me about my new publisher was the quick response time.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I wish agents/publishers could be quicker with the no's! Torture:)
DeleteHi Jennifer!! Happy Hump Day. Yes I am most definitely waiting on something now - my move to Germany in early December! They say patience is a virtue, but that doesn't make waiting any easier :)
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm always waiting for something or someone, usually one of my kids:) I hope your move to Germany goes well for you. How exciting!
DeleteI've had a book on submission for a L-O-N-G time with no response. No rejections, just no response. I've written them off in my mind as ultimate no's, but there's still that glimmer of hope that some editor will look at his/her unread list, choose mine, and discover it's a perfect fit NOW.
ReplyDeleteBecause there's that -- timing. A book might be just what an agent or editor is looking for NOW, but maybe it wouldn't have fit their lists six months ago. Sometimes you are waiting for the perfect confluence of events that make your book the right one.
I totally agree! There are sooo many factors that are at play with editors/agents. It's good to keep writing and submitting in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. Even if your get an agent and then your agent sells your book, it's a long process before it's published.
ReplyDeleteThere really is no getting around the waiting game!
DeleteYou need a lot of patience when you're a writer! Things take soooooo long!
ReplyDeleteThat's why it's good to be both a mom and a writer:-)
DeleteCongrats!! It's indeed a feat that you managed. In my case, I always have a hard time awaiting for the answer after I sent a submission. With my first stories I used to check my email every certain hours. Now I'm getting better, but it's always hard to wait.
ReplyDeleteI just shut the computer off and walk away or I'll go crazy.
DeleteCongratulations! I'm still waiting to finish my first story. I'm making progress, but sometimes it seems as if the end is sooooo far away.
ReplyDeleteThanks! You can do it, btw. If you know your story's end, try working backwards to the beg. of the story. :) Good luck!
DeleteCongratulations to you! That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd bonus points for referencing Psych.
Thx! One can never have enough Psych references.
DeleteWaiting is hard.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteYou referenced Psych. My world is complete. You know that's right! :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! C'mon, Son.
DeleteI have been waiting for news from a few publishers for ages. Congratulations for being chosen as the pitch wars alternate.
ReplyDeleteYes, time stands still when waiting for publishers/agents. Thx!
DeleteCongrats on making it to alternate!! How wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I can think of is that I quit writing in my late 20s/early 30s when life got in the way. I would have reached my goal much earlier, I feel like, if I'd kept at it, but it's easy to get discouraged and put things off. YAY to being an alternate. I think some of my fellow Aladdin M!x authors are mentors?
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting to hear back on two manuscripts and I'm about to send out another one. There were a few contests I entered that I didn't win. I know I'm working towards something, whether I hear a yes or no. That's great about being an alternate. :)
ReplyDeleteWoot! Grats on making it in as an alternate. That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! When I made it in, my mind was blown. Blown. I loved how the whole contest boiled down and as an alternate you still get all the valuable insight from your mentor. Truth, that first year, the alternates almost got as much attention as the first picks. I'm so happy for you and hope something amazing comes of your involvement!
ReplyDelete