The waiting is so hard. This is something I've been struggling with today - waiting to hear back from agents and editors. It is all part of the process, but sometimes I find it easier to distract myself from and accept than others.
So much wisdom in this letter! Stillness is a challenging thing to commit to. I turned in a draft at the end of last year after a hefty round of revision and made myself rest for the first time… ever? I think it was two whole weeks where I didn’t write a word and it was actually so helpful. I felt restored after and ready to tackle new things.
"Spring in New England, for me, is about waiting for summer. The tree outside my kitchen window has started to bud, but I’m still wearing my winter coat. The birds are chirping, but the days are gray. It's been raining a lot. Sometimes, it feels like I’m trapped inside my home, anxiously waiting to emerge without so many layers. I just want to be barefoot. Here, Spring is counting down days on a calendar, waiting for warmth. "
I really loved reading this. Something really connected with me - I think your thought process behind letting go parts of the story and how you handle edits is just something I really needed to read right now. Thanks for sharing!
I feel this on the letting go of backstory that was needed for me to conceptualize important factors of the story, but just can't be shoehorned into it.
I soooo feel the waiting of it all, too. Winter has been...soul deadening, not to be dramatic lol. I just know I'll feel like a new person the first day it's 75 degrees out there and the sun is shining on my damn face. Plus when there's absolutely no urgency on the trying-to-get-published side of things besides the urgency we feel for our own work, it can be so maddening. But if you want to chat about querying at all, let me know!
Boy do I relate. My memoir’s second draft is in the hands of three people. I realized, that in addition to sending self-enclosed excerpts to literary journals, I need to keep generating new material. For all I know, the second book will be the first to find a home. Crazy, right? Btw, my side hustles are dog sitting, public speaking, and editing/reading for a micro press. I pray for patience and trust (in the process) on a daily basis. I knew I would love this thoughtful post. Thanks. Allison from Florida
It’s true that SO much of the writing life is about waiting. Currently I’m waiting to hear back from agents who’ve requested full or partial versions of my manuscript. What I wish sometimes is that I could forget about all the things I’m waiting on. Like, just develop selective amnesia about those specific things. If anyone figures that out, let me know!
Thoughtful as always, you’ve got me evaluating the synchronicities of the seasons. Spring is so tricky. Spring is a tease. It gets our hopes up and then plunges us back below freezing. Pat on the back to you for recognizing the uncomfortable task of waiting and enjoying your revisions. I’m glad your beta readers gave great feedback and you’ve felt empowered by the changes you’ve made to your novel. Yay! Can’t wait to read it :-)
The waiting is so hard. This is something I've been struggling with today - waiting to hear back from agents and editors. It is all part of the process, but sometimes I find it easier to distract myself from and accept than others.
We are in it together, Naomi! Ive been craving distraction more than ever lately. That’s probably why
So much wisdom in this letter! Stillness is a challenging thing to commit to. I turned in a draft at the end of last year after a hefty round of revision and made myself rest for the first time… ever? I think it was two whole weeks where I didn’t write a word and it was actually so helpful. I felt restored after and ready to tackle new things.
I love that Morgan! It honestly does feel good to rest sometimes, even when the thought of it is uncomfortable at first
"Spring in New England, for me, is about waiting for summer. The tree outside my kitchen window has started to bud, but I’m still wearing my winter coat. The birds are chirping, but the days are gray. It's been raining a lot. Sometimes, it feels like I’m trapped inside my home, anxiously waiting to emerge without so many layers. I just want to be barefoot. Here, Spring is counting down days on a calendar, waiting for warmth. "
Beautiful!!
🥹🩷
Sounds like progress, Kailey!
I really loved reading this. Something really connected with me - I think your thought process behind letting go parts of the story and how you handle edits is just something I really needed to read right now. Thanks for sharing!
That makes me so happy to hear, Sam :)
I feel this on the letting go of backstory that was needed for me to conceptualize important factors of the story, but just can't be shoehorned into it.
I soooo feel the waiting of it all, too. Winter has been...soul deadening, not to be dramatic lol. I just know I'll feel like a new person the first day it's 75 degrees out there and the sun is shining on my damn face. Plus when there's absolutely no urgency on the trying-to-get-published side of things besides the urgency we feel for our own work, it can be so maddening. But if you want to chat about querying at all, let me know!
Deadening 🤌🏼 is not dramatic at all. Exactly how I feel too! And thank you! I definitely want to chat soon!
Boy do I relate. My memoir’s second draft is in the hands of three people. I realized, that in addition to sending self-enclosed excerpts to literary journals, I need to keep generating new material. For all I know, the second book will be the first to find a home. Crazy, right? Btw, my side hustles are dog sitting, public speaking, and editing/reading for a micro press. I pray for patience and trust (in the process) on a daily basis. I knew I would love this thoughtful post. Thanks. Allison from Florida
It’s true that SO much of the writing life is about waiting. Currently I’m waiting to hear back from agents who’ve requested full or partial versions of my manuscript. What I wish sometimes is that I could forget about all the things I’m waiting on. Like, just develop selective amnesia about those specific things. If anyone figures that out, let me know!
If only! I want that too haha
I love reading about your joy and excitement of dealing with revisions! That's how revising should feel! (in my opinion at least)
Completely unhelpful, but reading about waiting reminded me of this classic Olsen Twin banger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd5_H758kKs
So much of writing is playing the waiting game.
Omg I completely forgot about that song 😂 thank you, I needed that
Thoughtful as always, you’ve got me evaluating the synchronicities of the seasons. Spring is so tricky. Spring is a tease. It gets our hopes up and then plunges us back below freezing. Pat on the back to you for recognizing the uncomfortable task of waiting and enjoying your revisions. I’m glad your beta readers gave great feedback and you’ve felt empowered by the changes you’ve made to your novel. Yay! Can’t wait to read it :-)
❤️❤️❤️