It’s the first Wednesday of the month, which means it’s time to talk about insecurities. Before I do that, I’d like to thank Alex Cavanaugh for hosting this wonderful meme. If you'd like to learn more about it, just click on his name.
This month's IWSG post snuck up on me.
I’m currently in the
calm before the storm when it comes to my writing. I’m not a very patient person, but being an author
demands patience. While I patiently (cough cough—anxiously) await the first
round of edits for my sequel Hold Tight I’ve
been keeping myself busy by working on a couple of new projects. I had gotten
into a nice flow with one of them when I received a large white envelope that
contained the short fiction entries for the SPC Conference I’m speaking at next
month. The conference is for aspiring teen writers. I’ve read enough of their stories to know that these students are a very talented group. I’ve also drafted
my Key Note speech for this same conference. Come to think of it, I suppose
having a few weeks of calm isn’t all that bad. Still, I can’t wait to get
started on the revisions for Hold Tight.
And, truth be told, I’m dying to hear my editor’s thoughts. I’m hoping she
likes the direction I took the story. I’m
also a little nervous that the revisions will be overwhelming. I’m glad I have other things to keep me busy, or I would probably drive
myself crazy while I wait.
What do you do when you’re
in wait-mode?
Ah...sitting in wait-mode is not my favorite thing, either. I like to keep on track. Wait-mode makes me feel lazy, but I have to remind myself that time can be used in many different ways. Sometimes changing it up stirs even more creative juices. (Now, to live by that motto.)
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly it. I feel like I'm being lazy. Hopefully the break I've been forced to take while I read through the short fiction entries (I'm judging this category so I have to get through them in a reasonable amount of time) will help me attack my own writing with new vigor.
DeleteWaiting is so HARD! But I think you're doing it right, staying busy with other things. In regards to those revisions, don't sweat it. You've done the hard part already: you wrote a BOOK! The revisions will help you turn it into a gem! Good luck, Cherie!
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteYou're not kidding that being an author demands patience - at EVERY stage. I think working on another project while in wait mode is a good way to go. It kind of takes the pressure off of the current project, you know?
ReplyDeleteIt really does. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have something to work on. I'm a writing junkie :)
DeleteI do exactly what you're doing. Work on something else. Sounds like a great conference to be involved in.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the conference. Should be a lot of fun.
DeleteAlthough I'm not at the point yet where I'm waiting for query responses, when I send something off to my CP, I immediately move on to another chapter or manuscript. Waiting around doesn't match my personality. Good luck with the conference.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteWaiting is the hardest part, by far. And for queries, more so. So I always try to keep busy with something. Writing, blogging, marketing, whatever. It is a process. A never-ending one.
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteI'm so impatient that I'm the worst person to offer advice. I haven't started a new project for over a month while I'm waiting and I'm kind of enjoying the break from writing--it makes my weekends more chill. It sounds like you have exciting things to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteI have tried to take a break. I just don't do it well. Although with having the short stories to go through I haven't actually written anything on my WIP in a week. For me, that is unusual.
DeleteThank you for your thoughtful words today, Cherie. When I'm in the wait mode I jump into a new project right away. There always seems to be not enough time to write. Now I'm juggling two novels at a time;)
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one :)
DeleteActually, I try to keep busy as much as possible. If writing doesn't work, I paint or read or whatever else I can do to not think about how slow time seems to be passing. :-)
ReplyDeleteSide projects not related to writing are also welcome. And I'm always reading something.
DeleteIt will be all right! Enjoy the calm and maintain it for the upcoming months. Bet your speech is awesome.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed I don't stumble over my words. :)
DeleteDefinitely I keep busy. There's always something simmering on a back burner somewhere... Thanks for the insight, Cherie.
ReplyDelete