Monday, December 11, 2006

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Writing is not for wimps. One might think that coming up with story ideas and getting them on paper in a coherent, entertaining style might be hard enough, but it's truly only the beginning. Learning your craft, honing your craft, creating your characters, developing your dialogue, intriguing your readers; all challenges to overcome, and all things you have some measure of control over. Then there's the inevitable rejection letters from editors and agents, the well-meaning (and sometimes not-so-well meaning) critiques from friends, family members and fellow writers, self-doubt, writer's block, worries about promotion, websites, and reviews.

But the worst part is the waiting.

Right now I'm waiting on several things. I'm waiting on a cover for Dead Girls Are Easy. I'm waiting to find out if two big name authors who've been asked for cover quotes are going to give them. I'm waiting on the final copy edits before the book goes to print. I'm waiting for first-round line edits on Where The Ghouls Are. I'm waiting to hear if a current proposal for an entirely new book will be accepted.

I wrote an article a while back called What Are You Waiting For?. It's basically about how waiting is useful for its own sake, and that you should be getting your stuff out there while keeping busy in the meantime, and I still believe it as well as practice it.

But, man... sometimes I sure get tired of waiting. What are you waiting for?

4 comments:

Tawny said...

Oooooh, can I make a list?

I'm waiting on my cover.
I'm waiting on my contracts for the two books I hear rumor I sold (I don't believe it till I see the contract LOL)
I'm waiting on myself -worst of all - to get out of the funk and start writing up a new storm ;-)

I'm lucky, though. I have plenty to do while I wait. And good friens to keep me from going too crazy.

Anna Sugden said...

Great song :)

Waiting - oh yes - all-too-familiar with that.

For an editor to read my ms.
For my life to get less hectic so I can get back to my writing. (I know, that's a cop out).
For Dead Girls to come out :)

I'm with Tawny - thank goodness for great friends.

Terri Garey said...

Yep, Tom Petty knows how to sing 'em. :)

The only good thing about waiting is when the wait is finally over!

You'll hear something soon, Anna, and Tawny - don't you have to decorating to do? :p

Leslie Dicken said...

What an appropriate post! I'm waiting for:

My book to show up IN stores, not just online
Reviews for my novella, TABOO
Reviews for my short story, THE LADY'S BARGAIN
I *was* waiting for revisions from the editor on my historical...just got those - ACK! A ton of work to do in only three weeks!

In this business, I think we're ALWAYS waiting for something!