Well, I broke my promise.
Within the last week I submitted, and submitted, and submitted. It was a rush, I tell ya! I had been doing so much research, I had gone to a fantastic conference where I had been given better opportunities to submit to the unsubmittable, and I had been told I had a product worth looking at. So, I sent out those emails with great pride, diligence, and a teensy amount of unshakable fear.
Umm... Now what, Bethany?
Ah yes. Now I remember this part. The part where you sit and think of nothing else except 800 million what-if scenarios. The part where you literally put everything else on stand by so that you can check you emails. The part where you chant- "They said four to six weeks... They said up to three months... They said four to six weeks... They said up to three months..." Yeah, THAT part.
Crap.
I've heard of the waiting game as a slow killer of creativity. I'm not sure who said that, but I suppose it could be true. I DON'T WANT IT TO BE TRUE!!!!!
Okay, so I decided I would stay off my computer for nearly a week. I decided that I would focus on the manuscript I have going on for this month that I just cannot seem to find an ending for, and I would concentrate on the other four trillion things I have to do... Like, um, LAUNDRY! Yes, laundry definitely will keep me busy... Right? No? Double crap.
So I turn to you, my faithful, knowledgeable, helpful friends:
When you're stuck in the inevitable waiting game, what do you do to pass the time?
What do you concentrate on? How do you handle each passing day?
Right now, I think I'll take up a new hobby. Underwater basket weaving, anyone? No? Nah... Me either. I think I'll sit here, with this gal...
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| http://postadaychallenge2011.com/ 2011/12/03/weekly-photo-challenge-waiting/ |
Happy writing!!
That is wonderful to have your work ready to send out. I have my fingers crossed for you Bethany! I usually keep busy writing other pbs to pass the time. I would send out even more queries for other stuff while I would wait. Although, it's been months since I sent out a ms to anyone. I hope to change that by June. Good luck girl, I hope you hear back soon!!! :)
ReplyDeleteKeep busy.... Keep busy.... Keep busy...
DeleteGotcha!! Thanks, love!
I just started sending out work so I'm also playing the waiting game. I would work on the next project. Perhaps you want to start sketching out a marketing plan because sooner or later you going to have to promote yourself. I just started researching different ways I could promote the MSS I sent out and future works I'm working on. I think having a rough idea of how I'm going to be successful just makes it seem closer to actually happening. The best of luck Bethany.
ReplyDeleteNow, THAT is an interesting thought! I'd never, EVER thought of that before. Hmmm...
DeleteGood luck to you as well, Rena! Hopefully we can celebrate good news together!
One word....fuggedaboutit. You have done your very best and now it is out of your hands. Say a little prayer and let those birdies fly away. Start hatching new eggs in the nest, so these flown away birds won't seem as precious. I know it is hard to do, but it's the only way to remain sane. Oh, and a little chocolate wouldn't hurt. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteDiane, you totally made me laugh! Thank you so much!
DeleteI get involved in my next project, and forget about my submission. In fact, I made the opposite mistake, and emailed the editor only twice in the year I was waiting for a response, only to discover she had moved on, and I had to begin the process again with her replacement. Just a few days before, I received the good news that my article for a homeschool magazine was so well liked, they are placing it in a more prominent place where thousands will benefit by it. So, "out of sight, out of mind" is the best policy. Focus on another project, and even if you get bad news with one submission, good news is on its way with another! Keep looking up, Bethany!
ReplyDeleteOh what a bummer! But, congrats on that homeschooling article!! I was homeschooled until I was in fourth grade. It made a big impact on me!
DeleteThanks for your advice, lady! You seem to ALWAYS know the right way to do things! ;)
Hi Bethany....I am in the exact same spot. I HATE the wait...I spend the day just "...taking a little peek..." at email 10 times a day. I feel a bit better reading what Rena said in that I did make some marketing plans, research options there but I felt a little funny, like I might jinx myself! But then I thought, surely having some good marketing ideas in my arsenal would be helpful at SOME point if not for this project. I am also a "plan B" kinda gal...I like to have a couple of things up my sleeve in case plan a doesn't work out...eases the pain. Even with all that and the usual daily housey things that must be done, I have at least 50% of my mind on that wait at all times...I just can't seem to fugggedaboutit. Please let me know if you come up with a way and BEST BEST BEST of luck!
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you!! I can't seem to fuggedaboutit either. But, I'm getting some good ideas, here! Thank you so much, and best of luck to YOU as well!
DeleteHi! Bethany,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to wish you good luck on your submissions. I think just by sending something in, you have accomplished a lot. I have never be confident enough to do it -- a little bit afraid of rejection, maybe. I don't know. But, another great post -- I really like the "ponder" series!
Eric, don't be ridiculous! Are you kidding me?! You've NEVER submitted to a publisher or agent?! You have NOTHING to fear! Rejection is a part of our lives as writers. Oh, friend... Get yourself out there! You CAN do it!! :)
DeleteI love waiting! The alternative is having all these wonderful stories inside your computer with NO chance of being published. When you're waiting, that means potential good news every single day. And what's wrong with a little underwater basket weaving?? It passes the time.....
ReplyDeleteI love me some optimism!!! Glad to see someone likes to wait!!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was amazed at resolve at the beginning of this post - not sending anything for a year. Then I see you gave in and that made me laugh! I draw then check my e-mails, garden then check my e-mails, clean the house then check my e-mails, walk then check my e-mails, check my e-mails...
ReplyDeleteWhat really really helps though is getting an exciting idea for a new picture book manuscript. That's what really keeps me going. Goodluck with your submissions!
Ramona (www.artistorauthor.wordpress.com)
Thanks, Ramona!! You and I are two of a kind! Haha
DeleteI'm probably repeating a lot of what's here, but I try to keep working on other mss, and i also try to work on back-up plans for the ones that are out. If a ms comes back, I want to have somewhere else to send it ready to go - researched, carefully chosen, maybe even the cover letter written - so I can just turn that ms around. (If it comes back a few times with similar comments, that might mean some re-writing is necessary, but not the first time usually, unless you get personal comments from an editor!) I think it's great that you've got so much written and out there! best of luck with it all :)
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks, Susanna! I like that idea of having it all ready to send out the moment (should it come) it's rejected. That's fabulous!
DeleteAs Susanna said, I prepare my Plan B. It's been a while since I've submitted anything, as I've been honing my skills and getting a decent stack of manuscripts together, but I always like to have the plan ready for a) if it's accepted, or b) if it's to be accepted by someone else, instead.
ReplyDeleteAnd definitely keep working on other manuscripts.
Laundry? I've heard of that...
I'm absolutely the WORST at laundry. Ask my hubby! Haha!
DeleteThanks, Beth! As usual, you're awesome! ;)
Well, I think we are in the same boat, submitting, drowning in seas of laundry! =)
ReplyDeleteWhat have I been doing? Well, checking my email, researching other agents, and suprisingly working on new ideas. You know, the kind you never think will ever come again, but then they pop up out of nowhere? =)
I feel just so filled with excitement and hope and doubt. It is a torturous mixture. But it is SO fun!
Keep us all informed Bethany of your subs! Great topic!
It IS a torturous mixture! That's a genius description! Thanks, Elizabeth!
DeleteKeep me informed of what you've got going on, too!
Good luck. Have fun waiting (I will join you in that picture). I'm in revision phase, so no queries for me. The waiting is a bit scary.
ReplyDeletePerspective, perspective, perspective!!
Delete... At least that's what I'm learning! Haha Thanks, Stacy!
Good luck, Bethany. I have a couple out and I just try to go on with writing as usual...but I have to say I would love to be surprised when I open my email :-) I tell myself that if someone did like my writing, then they would want to see other manuscripts and so I work on those.
ReplyDeleteWho knows...maybe your next book will somehow include laundry. I think there must be a lot of stories in a pile of dirty clothes!