Writers have to accept that “waiting” is part
of the journey to publication. Some people are more patient than others, but we
probably all experience moments when we grow impatient to receive an answer from an agent or publisher. When
waiting starts to make you feel crazy or anxious, how do you handle it? Today,
author Amanda Flower gives valuable tips
for surviving.
~
Dawn
Survival Tips for Waiting
by Amanda Flower
I have trouble living in the present. I always
have. My eyes are always turned to the future and to what is next. This is even
true when I travel. I’ve been to many wonderful places in the world, but many
times wherever I am, no matter how spectacular, I have to tell myself to stop
and enjoy the moment instead of worrying about the logistics of the next
destination and all the contingencies that might spring up along the way. I
could say I am a planner and this is a good quality. However, underneath it all
I am naturally impatient. Think of someone you know who can’t sit through an
entire movie without getting the jitters and you have me.
Impatience is not a good quality for a writer
because publishing is a hurry up and wait business. Writers wait to hear from
agents and editors, for release dates, and for reviews. Knowing I have a
problem is half of the battle, but to cope, I have come up with a list of five
survival tips that help me to be a little more patient.
1) Organize. I know this might be strange to be
my number one, but it’s my first go-to. I have little time to keep my house in
order when I’m in the middle of a manuscript, so I use my waiting time to put
it back together. Best thing about it is there are immediate results, which I
love.
2) Sleep. I’m not kidding. I write fulltime and
I work as a librarian fulltime. Whenever I have a chance for a nap, I take it.
3) Write. While you are waiting for news about
one manuscript, begin another. Getting caught up in a new story is a great way
to use your nervous energy.
4) Fellowship. There not much time to see
friends and family while on a deadline, so use those in-between times to have
fun instead of to bite your nails while you wait to hear back from an agent or
editor.
5) Move. Exercise is a great way to pass the
time. Might as well get in shape so you look great for that author photo. I
should probably use this one more. I will. Promise. Right after 1-4.
My advice would be not to worry about the day
you finally receive the call for the big book deal you’ve dreamt about. Focus
on now and focus on writing the best story that you can. The quality of your
writing will earn you that contract, not the hours you spend worrying about it.
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Amanda Flower,
an Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary
school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the
class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris
wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh
with her words. Her debut mystery, Maid
of Murder, was an Agatha Award Nominee for Best First Novel. Amanda is an
academic librarian for a small college near Cleveland. She also writes
mysteries as Isabella Alan.
To learn more about Amanda, please visit:
