Wednesday, October 3, 2012

IWSG, October




Hosted by Alex J Cavanaugh

First, before I get to the purpose of this post, I'd like to 
congratulate the winner of my Blogfest 2012 giveaway 
Amy K
Thanks to all who participated!

And now back to your regular, first Wednesday of the month post: IWSG...

Anyone else ever feel like you’re always waiting on something? Maybe it’s for inspiration to strike or for that spark that tells you exactly what should happen next in your story. Maybe it’s some quiet time to write uninterrupted. Then there’s the time we wait to hear back from critique partners or beta readers. And how about the time we wait to send queries because we are still working on the all important query blurb and synopsis to make it a tight, interesting summary of our work, one that won’t leave an agent or editor thinking WTF.

Whew! Typing it out makes me realize how much writers are in wait mode. And I haven’t even gotten to waiting for responses. That’s where I am at right now. My middle grade ghost story is out on submission, so my agent and I are waiting to hear back from editors. I didn’t want her to get too bored (ya, I’m chuckling, because I know she has plenty to do), but just in case she finds herself needing something new to read,  I sent her my newest young adult novel. So I’m waiting to hear her comments on that one.

Being in wait mode gives a writer way too much time to question his or her work. Did I show instead of tell everywhere I could? Is my voice active? Did I stay in the right POV? Will an editor love the characters and plot? (And in the case of my YA novel, will my agent love it?)

I hope so. Don’t we all?

So while I wait, and to keep me from asking these same questions over and over again, I’m focusing on autumn finally being here. I love this time of year. The smoky scent from the neighbors’ fire pits drift through our yard and many of the trees are brilliant shades of red and yellow. Fall decorations are starting to be put out. Pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks and this is the season with all the best comfort foods. I guess if I have to be waiting, this is the right time of year to do it. 

Happy Autumn and Happy Writing!! 

18 comments:

  1. I find I'm always in wait mode as well, but since I have plenty of other things to focus on: new baby, line edits, writing the next book, brainstorming ideas, etc, it makes waiting easier :)

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  2. So go out and enjoy fall! Maybe it will inspire your next story.
    Good luck and hope your agent likes the one story and finds a home for the other.

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  3. I feel like I'm on wait mode all the time. Not the best feeling. I hope your editors get back to you soon about your middle school grade book and that your agent will love your new YA one! Autumn rocks! :)

    Thank you again for the chance to win a signed copy of Embrace!

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    1. You're welcome. There will be another chance at the end of this month during the Spooktacular event.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. There is definitely a lot of waiting involved in writing! I completely understand how you feel. I keep busy by reading and doing mindless tasks until the next inspiration strikes! :D

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    1. You're right, this is a good time to make a dent in my TBR list.

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  5. I also love this time of year. Enjoy those pumpkin spice lattes on a beautiful fall day, and hopefully the good news will arrive before you know it! Julie

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  6. Love your autumnal musings... lovely thoughts and images... enjoy your "in between moments"...

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  7. Waiting is the hardest part, no doubt. When I started I never thought I'd write that!

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  8. I get what you mean about waiting for some uninterrupted writing time. Being patient is probably a nurtured quality that we writers must have. =)

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  9. I make waiting especially hard on myself because I find it very hard to settle to another project when I'm waiting on replies. I know I should have learnt by now, but I'm still practising!

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  10. Waiting is not fun, but this industry definitely forces you to be patient.

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