No one waits better than I do.
I wait until I’m in the right mood to write.
When my first draft is finished, I wait a few weeks….or month….to do revisions and self-editing.
More months pass while I wait to submit my manuscript to agents and/or publishers….and sometimes, while I’m waiting to do that, I do another revision or two.
I prefer to try for traditional publication because of the benefits I don’t have to pay for out of pocket, so I spend a lot of time waiting for requests for a full manuscript….or a rejection of my query.
While I’m doing all that waiting, sometimes I’m also waiting to get back in the mood for writing on a new project.
Sometimes I use that waiting time to read a book, sometimes I watch television or a movie, and sometimes I just bake cookies.
I have no complaints about the waiting. I’m very good at it.
I envy you this, Patricia! It is nice to have time to read between revisions, though. I do like that part of waiting. 🙂
Susan, cookies are a whole different matter. In the old days before I worried about the raw eggs, I’d eat more batter than I baked.
I agree, Margot. And I’m waiting for something important now with exactly that attitude. The twitch in my left eye has nothing to do with impatience. 😀
Mason, rushing always gets me into trouble. It was pretty hard to slow down after a lot of years in the corporate world, though.
If only I had your patience. I usually try to rush things too much.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Pat – The ability to choose the right time for something is really a valuable skill. Things happen when they should, and sometimes you have to wait for that…
You made me laugh. I’m such an impatient waiter, even for the cookies to get done in the oven.
Julie — I wish. My editor has informed me I still have a lot to learn. 😀
Hi Diane. I used to be that way when I had a job in the real world. I calmed down a lot after retirement.
John, it’s definitely a learned behavior.
Active waiting is a real gift. Impatience gets in my way. Alex’ comment reminded me of the old ditty:
Patience is a virtue,
Possess it if you can;
Seldom in a woman,
Never in a man.
I wish I was better at waiting. I’m just way too impatient.
When I first read your blog title in my feed, I thought it said, “I Have Perfected the Art of Writing”. I was so excited and came rushing over to glean from your perfection. Sigh. Yes, now I suppose I must WAIT for that. Could you work on that for me? 😉
Alex, I turn a music station on my radio when I’m in the car. If I’m stuck waiting for a train or a long red light, I just do a little car bopping.
Jenny, lying down until the sense of urgency passes is an excellent technique. I also like staring into space and taking deep, slow breaths.
Pat, I’m pretty sure I could give you a run for your money in the waiting game! I do occasionally have a sense of urgency, but I lie down until it passes 🙂
Patience is a virtue! I can wait. Unless I’m in traffic.