*shabby metaphor alert!* (consider yourself warned . . .)
Some days, I feel a lot like this baby.
I can see that thing I crave. We all do. Stories of agent signings and book deals and landing on the NYT Bestseller list. We all know what we want, and it's tantalizingly close.
Believe me, if I could, I'd slide all the way down the proverbial publishing staircase. I think we all would.
Alas, in our world, it isn't that simple. There's no short cut, though it certainly seems like some people have found one. Trust me, they haven't. Everyone has a different staircase, of different lengths, with different kinds of steps. And the only way down in one step at a time. And the only way to not go absolutely insane on your descent is (wait for it . . .)
Patience.
Do I have a magical trick to getting more? Nope.
Tips? Advice? Tricks I've learned over the years? Nada (well . . . other than avoiding Twitter . . .)
Really, the only thing to do is put one foot in front of the other and keep your eyes on the prize.
Yoga-chant with me now: Paaaaaaatience. Paaaaaatience.
15 comments:
You know, some days I'm better at it than others. When I've mastered it, I'll let you know.
Ah, so wise you are. :) That has been my mantra for over three years: patience, patience, patience. If I keep saying it, maybe I'll get some.
ummm, that was redonculously adorable.
Yeah, patience isnt my strong point either, but in this buisness, its a learned thing. Either you learn it or your not gunna go anywhere!
I watched it like five times...no wait, six.
Why be patient when you can reverse belly slide down the stairs??
But yeah, I hear you. The best remedy for impatience is distraction.
I totally did that stair thing when I was little! Ha ha! Oh, the memories...
Great advice Renee. I'm learning a lot of patience as well. When I first started querying, I'd check my e-mail like fifty times a day. After I got my agent I realized I couldn't make time go faster, and had to learn to wait. Waiting is hard, but hopefully it will be worth it someday. I'll chant with you...
Patience...patience...Patience...
Such important advice to remember. Patience is a virtue ... one that's hard (okay, sometimes impossible) to possess in this publishing journey, but one that's so, so necessary. Here's hoping it gets easier for all of us!
I've become a bit impatient lately and it impeded my writing. A return to patience is definitely in order for me.
Nicole-Likewise. :) Actually, I'm not sure anyone can really master patience. Not for any length of time.
Kasie-hehe, exactly. I'm trying to brainwash myself into having it. :)
Read-(isn't it CUTE?!)
So true. Without patience, you'd just go crazy and give up. And go nowhere.
Shelly-I've watched it so many times, I decided I had to use it in a blog post somehow. Hence the shabby metaphor. ;)
Chantele-And that's the real truth. Even if you *don't* have patience, things won't move any faster. So you might as well not drive yourself crazy. :)
Shari-Amen!
Candice-So true. When I'm impatient, it actually *slows* down my writing. And makes me grouchy to boot!
The darling step-sister of patience is distraction. Hard to come by when you're climbing the walls, hoping for news, however.
Well, I'm just here, twiddling my thumbs right along with you, chanting: paaaatience. Maybe I'll drink some wine while I'm chanting -- you know, to boost the effectiveness.
Yay patience!
Also, that video needs Mission Impossible music. I'm just saying... :)
I don't think I'll try sliding down my staircase since the steps seem to be taller than me sometimes. What a mangled mess I'd be at the bottom.
I'm chanting with you...Patience...Patience...
I am really good at being patient. I have a twenty-year plan to publication. Or maybe that's lazy? I don't know.
Patience is key in this business, that's for sure. I've found that there usually isn't one prize I want. It's a succession, and when I reach one, I can keep my eyes on another one. :)
Kristan-Wine helps. Or Dr. Pepper. Or any other assortment of snacks to send one's self into a hazy stupor.
Miriam-lol, yes! If I had video editing skills, I would do it myself. :)
Ruth-yeah, if I tried to slide down a staircase like that, it would NOT be pretty.
Jessie-A twenty-one year plan would probably have a 100% success rate! I don't call that laziness, I call that endurance!
Michelle-Very true! There are many different prizes, and many different staircases. All we can do is keep moving forward.
I love this blog!!
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