Wednesday 5 December 2012

Will my bus ever come?

I have been following the Insecure Writers Support Group posts for months and I finally got around to joining.  Big thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for hosting this wonderful idea. Posts are the first Wednesday of the month and are a great way to offer support and encouragement to fellow writers or to receive a little yourself!




I sometimes think I've been waiting at the bus stop too long!

On the outside it usually appears as a patient, the bus is only just around the corner, I can wait abit longer, attitude. Yet  inside I'm tense and knotted, drumming my feet on the pavement, anxious to be on the bus and on my way.

I've been known to leap to my feet, so sure my bus was finally here. A competition win,  requests for full manuscripts, a telephone call with a brilliant agent, even an offer of representation! (Squeels). But sadly I still haven't quite made it onto the bus, the publishing deal still eludes me.

I know I have travelled a long way already, but I'm nowhere near ready for the journey to end. I've got my ticket stamped, I guess I just have to wait at the bus stop awhile longer. It's just sometimes it gets a little cold and lonely all this hanging about. What am I supposed to do while I'm waiting? Tweek and fiddle some more with projects I've already put my heart and soul into or start something brand new and seek a new distraction to keep me company while I wait?

How do you cope with the inevitable waiting that being a writer entails?

52 comments:

  1. I know how you feel. I just keep reminding myself of all the famous authors who had to wait a long time to board that bus of publication. Giving up only guarantees you'll miss that bus, so I know I can't let myself give up. I hope you don't have to wait much longer.

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    1. That's the thing, although it sometimes feels like we are the only ones waiting we aren't! Let's all keep each other company :)

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  2. Saying hello from IWSG...While you're waiting, I suppose you can strike up conversations with the others waiting around with you. That's one of the reasons I started my blog...

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    1. I am so glad I started this blog it has been a massive help. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  4. Oh, the waiting is the WORST. I try to move on to writing other things in the meantime!

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    1. It probably never gets any easier! I think I will forge ahead with something new after Christmas.

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  5. Oh, I am so glad you joined! And I'd like to have a waiting party, for all of us who are waiting around together. It will come Suzanne! :)

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    1. Yay what a fabulous idea a 'Waiting Party' I'll bring cake :)

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  6. hate hate to wait!! must have something to do!
    something new is good, but sometimes i resort to tackling unpleasant tasks, like queries, synopsis, bios, or even housework to take my mind off the waiting!

    your bus will come!

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    1. At least there are plenty of 'other' tasks at this time of year. I think I will tackle a new project that has been gnawing away at my brain in the New Year.

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  7. Yes, waiting is one of the hardest things to do. When I first started submitting it was by post, so I knew a speedy reply meant 'no and we don't intend to read it', but with the advent of email I expect a quick reply, and it never comes!

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    1. I think the quickest reply to a email submission I sent was about 60 seconds! Was it really that bad?

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  8. Hi Karen thanks for dropping in today it's great to meet you :)

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  9. I'm not to this stage yet, but I feel for you. Waiting is never fun, especially when something you've worked so hard for and want so much is hanging in the balance. Don't give up!

    Welcome to the group.
    IWSG #145 until Alex culls the list again. :)

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    1. Hi Melissa thanks for stopping by. I'm not ready to give up I'll keep on waiting!

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  10. Waiting is difficult - but I think the publishing business has a lot of waiting in it so it is good practice ;) I say start something else/distract self/etc. Keeping busy works for me.

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    1. You're right Vik I am going to crack on with a new project in the New Year.

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  11. It may feel cold and lonely at the bus stop but, if you look around, you'll find a bunch of us there with you. Some of us have grown disheartened and wandered away. Some of us are angry and glaring down the road where we see others have already been picked up. My only way to combat the anger and depression is to set my sights lower. Maybe that battered mini-bus is okay for now, and I'll hope for the big shiny bus sometime in the distant future.
    I really hope your bus arrives. But you're never alone. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Lexa I'll accept the mini bus for now but one day...maybe...hopefully! See you there :)

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  12. I never wait to find out how a story will get on 'out there' - I get on with writing the next one. Doing that must surely improve my chances?

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    1. I'm sure it does, Patsy. If I've learnt one thing from today it is that I will turn my attention to new works whilst still plugging away with my completed works. Thanks for dropping by :)

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  13. I know it's tough waiting and waiting, until it feels as if it's never going to happen. I started writing in 1983 and didn't get published until 2008. I'm actually embarrassed to admit that, but what the heck... I'm a slow learner. Happy IWSG, Suzanne.

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    1. I guess it doesn't matter how long the ride takes as long as you enjoy it. After all we are learning and growing as writers all the time. Thanks, Joylene :)

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  14. Welcome to IWSG! You're not alone, I'm very impatient, too. I wish it could happen overnight, but it doesn't - it requires A LOT of work and dedication.

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    1. A LOT of work, Livia. Writing isn't for wimps! Wishing you well with your new project too :)

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  15. I play guitar.
    Start something new and see what happens. That doesn't do it, go back to an older piece.
    And welcome to the IWSG!

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    1. I'm so glad I got round to joining this month, Alex. The experience has helped me clear my mind and re focus. Thanks for hosting :)

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  16. Sounds like you've had a lot of success. It's like everything I suppose...just keep swimming. And be proud of what you have accomplished thus far...these are not small victories.

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    1. Hi Liza nice to meet you. I am proud and totally amazed at what I have achieved already I want to continue this wonderful journey to see where it leads. Thank you :)

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  17. You are expressing exactly how I felt, but I didn't have the endurance you've got. I probably gave in too quickly (around six months), but I wanted to get my story out there and start on the next! Little did I know how much work and time networking and marketing takes. Time to write?? I guess the Lord is teaching me how to manage my time better.

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    1. It does take time, patience and dedication. So many non-writers just don't understand that, that is why it is so fantastic to meet like minded souls in the blogosphere. Thanks for dropping by today Nancy it is lovely to meet you :)

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  18. It's horrible waiting. We know where we want to be, we just have to wait for the agents/publishers to co-operate :-P I'm hoping they will one day. In fact. my fingers are crossed so tight, they hurt sometimes.

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  19. Wow! You had an offer from an agent? Some of us are desperate just to get to that stage alone!I think the harder you have to work at it - the prouder you'll feel when you get there in the end xx

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    1. I know I have been incredibly lucky so far. I don't have an agent at the moment so have submitted direct to a handful of publishers open to submissions. I won't give up my dream x

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  20. I've been checking these posts out too for a LONG time now, but still haven't joined up. I think they're a great thing!

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    1. I'm glad I took the plunge this month, Trisha. It has helped me clarify my thoughts for the new year ahead.

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  21. I swear waiting is our own worst enemy... it's soooooo HARD... Especially when it can dampen our creativity, our belief in ourself, etc. But I SWEAR it's the people who do wait--who put in their time and preserver who succeed. Want to stand at the bus stop with me? ;-)

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  22. I'm sure the bus will come before you know it.

    As for myself, I decided to take my fate in my own hands and self-pub my shorter works. Although I'll be waiting again when I'm ready to get a novel published.

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    1. Aww thanks, Cherie. Waiting is part of the writing game I guess!

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  23. I HATE waiting!! I'm not a patient person anyway, so this was probably one of the worst fields I could've gone into. haha. It's so frustrating. I want to do something to somehow force the answers to come faster and I can't.

    All I can do is check Twitter for the billionth time and, really, for what? I follow the agents who have my partial/full but do I really think they're going to be discussing it on Twitter? haha. So, yeah...I am with you. Waiting sucks. But I'll keep you company until your bus comes!!

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  24. I spotted you sitting there waiting on the bus. Is this seat taken? :)

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  25. I work on other projects and just keep submitting. You can go crazy if all you do is wait!

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  26. This is so how I feel! Recently, I thought I would have my book back from my editor so I could work on it through December (my break from school). Turns out, I will have it back by the end of January...way longer than I thought. :( My plan had been to prepare to query through January. Now I feel like I have to wait FOREVER to see if I even made it halfway to that bus.

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    1. Sorry to hear your plans have been scuppered, Ashley. I hope it is good news when you get the book back.

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  27. No, you have to keep writing other projects and keep submitting. If you wait for one reply then yes, you may miss your bus.

    There are many publishers now accepting submissions, so if your ms didn't find a home one place, it sure will find another home.

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