Writing: The Game of Hurry Up and Wait

Originally, I had a different subject in mind for tonight's blog post.  However, I realized that that one would be better suited to next week's topic, given that I have to do a little digging through some books for it (literally).  So, look out for the discussion on a massive book haul I received next Thursday.  As for tonight's post, I'd thought I'd cover something that I sometimes have had to put some really great thought into: what do I do when I've got works submitted but haven't  heard back yet?

Now, don't mistake me here.  I don't mean the situation where I submitted a short story like three years ago to a publisher who promised like a three month response rate and still haven't heard back.  No, what I mean is, what to do in a situation where you know you'll have a long wait.  In my case, I currently have a novel, novella, and a short story out in the void.  Now, the short story is a situation where I'm waiting a little longer than expected, but it has been semi-regularly updated with proper explanations so that's fine.  But novels and novellas?  Whew.  Those waits are the worst.  Shortest response I think I've ever heard suggested on a novel is six months... while novellas are around the same, sometimes a tad shorter.  Just depends on the publisher's general workload.  So, your baby (babies) are out in the world, and you're waiting on either some really great or really disappointing news.  What do you do in the meantime? 

The answer is quite simple.  You write.  "But," you might say, "what if I am just too anxious over waiting on this news?  What if my next planned project was the sequel to said novel or novella?"  Well, then to you I say, "Still write."  Now life can get in the way of your passion and dream of writing, especially if you are working a regular 9 to 5 and generally have a family.  But that doesn't mean that you're done.  Writing is never done.  Never.  I'm sure you've all heard the advice, "Write everyday.   Get something on that page."  And that's great advice that doesn't change no matter what's going on... but I would amend it.  I would said, "Write everyday IF YOU CAN." 

I don't mean "if the muse allows."  No.  The muse is too mercurial for you to make a living that way.  I mean if life allows.  I have only stopped at my computer this week like three times for something writing related because my oldest--as I mentioned here in my last post--just started school.  It took some adjusting.  So, in that regard, one of the things you can do while you wait to hear back on your babies--and take the time to remind your loved ones what your face looks like--is just to prioritize.  Make a list.  Write down everything writing related you need to accomplish--and, like I do to make sure I properly drive myself insane, write down life-wise stuff too.  It's important to gather and know your thoughts before putting those words down, I think.  Lists make my brain focus on not only tasks at hand, but those in the very near future. 

Actual picture of one of my muses.  I swear, I'm not the cause for this reaction (this time).

You could also take this time to work on some old trunk stories to sell.  (Trunk stories are stories that are so old and outdated that you've packed them away for later, if that wasn't clear.)  I have two (possibly three) stories that I want to take out and polish in order to sell them to someone else.  So, those suckers are on my to-do list.  Getting started in writing is just as much about quantity sometimes as it is quality.  But one should never be sacrificed for the other.  Really.  I mean this.  Don't sacrifice quality.  Ever.

I am also writing on a for-fun project that is due to be finished by... sometime in October, I believe.  It's not gonna get me paid, but it will help me focus on areas of my writing that could use some improvement.  Also, some ideas from this project might get reborn in the future into something I could sell.  I have no plans as such now, but who knows?  It's happened to me before. 

Reading is also important.  Reading is as important to writing as actually writing words is, in my opinion.  If you don't read, then you tend to forgot how to use the words.  Using the words is important.  It's literally all that writing is.  So catch up on a novel or two while you wait. 

Picture of the last book I finished.  Dude, I so recommend this book series.

There's also this great free thing in November called NaNoWriMo--National Novel Writing Month.  I can't talk about this thing enough.  50,000 words in 30 days.  It is the best kind of rat race, and the community found on the site is truly great.  I haven't had any luck with online NaNo groups outside of their site, but seriously, check out the forums.  Everyone's stressed, writing, and freaking out.  Together.  Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  The rule is--which, no one is gonna like come and knee-cap you if you break this (we're all on the honor system)--you don't start writing those 50,000 words until 12:01am of November 1st.  Last day to reach 50,000 and have it count is November 30th 11:59pm.  When it is a tad closer to time, I'll share my personal stories on here for the years that I won so that maybe it'll help someone out there feel the same wonderful sense of accomplishment that I have.   But, my point now is that prepping for NaNo is something that can start right now while you wait.

I also won (hit 50k) in 2014 and 2016 but can't find the banners.

Perhaps this is another rambling blog, but my overall point is this:  if you aren't writing, you should be.  You should be busy.  I find that the busier I am, the more I write.  It's insane, but true.  Don't just idly sit and wait for that rejection (or acceptance).  Don't put all your eggs in that basket.  Write.  Stay busy and the wait will be easier for you.  Start that damn sequel too.  Even if you get rejected by one publisher, doesn't mean that you'll get rejected by all.  You might get a million "no's", but it only takes one "yes."  That's all I've got to say on the subject.  I'm off to do some writing while I wait.  See you all next Thursday!