It's been quite the journey. I started writing my middle grade fantasy novel, titled, Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta several years ago. Of course I only wrote a few pages and left it. Until...one day my husband found it on an old computer and was like, "You have to finish this!" Which made me smile, and then finish the darn thing. At that point, I sent it off to a freelance editor. I received it back awhile later and learned quite a few things. After rewriting it, I sent it off to another editor, and learned even more from her smart and talented self. Basically, after rewriting/revising the novel a few times, I think I ended up with a pretty cool story.
With the writing bug fully inside of me, I bravely began another book. This time, a Young Adult paranormal romance, titled Cursed. That one is something totally different--and I had a blast writing it. Of course there were those days where I banged my head on my desk(so to speak), and drank too much coffee...but hey, that's all part of it, right? Sharing in the journey with other writers that I've met on here has made it all the more fun. I've learned so much from many of you!
Then came querying! That was definitely another scary venture, but I ended up with an awesome agent. Her name is Lauren Hammond and she totally rocks. Hard. And now...I have both my novels out on submission. Yes! How awesome is that? They are both being read by various amazing publishers and so I must be patient...and wait some more. So while I wait and wonder, I'm writing a new Young Adult Dystopian which I'm very excited about. But one thing I've learned is that the saying, 'anything worthwhile is worth waiting for,' is true. But! I hope I don't have to wait too much longer. =) Seriously, a girl can only wait so long, right? I actually think I'll have some good news to post soon, but that's another story for another day.
How do you guys handle the waiting? Do you write something else? Or go off grid for awhile and try to forget about it all? Happy writing to all of my writer friends as we all get ready for the holidays! <3
We are so on the same wave length or something. I was planning on writing a blog post for next Friday's post about being patient while writing. So funny! I've learned so much about patience, especially now that I have an agent. I feel peace with it, though. I've come to terms in some small way that good things ARE worth waiting for. I've noticed that jumping straight into another book is the best way to calm the waiting nerves. It gives me something else to think about and worry about.
ReplyDeletePatience is a virtue I don't possess much, but I'm working on it. Writing has definitely helped in that arena.
I hear you, Julia. And congrats again to you for your successes! =)
ReplyDeleteAwesome, congratulations!!!! I HATE waiting myself. I have to start on another project, pronto, or I wither and go into a semi-comatose state. :D
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes for sure! Get to it and maybe it'll help. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't handle waiting on anything very well. You are fortunate to have enticed an agent to get your book out there to the publishers who count. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rick. Good luck to you too. Patience is a tough one for everyone I think. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm impatient, so if I have to wait for news, I annoy the spouse. :)
ReplyDeleteWaiting can suck the life right out of you, but staying busy on the next story helps me get through it. I'm so happy for you! I love your stories - so I'm sure your wait is almost over. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda. I love your stories, too...and you! <3
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