I've been running around like crazy preparing for school to start. I know that's one reason Alex has more time to visit blogs, he doesn't have kids! They're ridiculous time eaters! But they're great fun, too. Summer has gone by quick.
Now, on to my Insecure Writer's Support Group report. Everyone is welcome! (use the link to Alex's list)
For someone with a patience problem, I sure chose a hurry up and wait profession. I would gladly knock out 1,000+ words a day, but with everything else going on, I'm lucky to write a few sentences. I want to hurry up and finish my draft. It's always calling me, wondering where I am. At least keeping busy takes my mind off the rest of the things I'm waiting for:- results from a book fair application
- sales numbers - which probably won't be the greatest, but I'd still like to know!
- responses to book signing event requests
- reviews - these take time, I know. And I love the updates from my friends telling me which chapter they are on, so I try not to dwell on this one. Especially since I'm such a slow reader. Here's an awesome review from my friend, Huntress! And Amazon asked my friend Rhonda if she'd like to read Pop Travel!
So, good stuff is happening, I just need to enjoy it and get to things in their time. Any advice on how to be patient? My brain feels like it's going to crack from the pressure I put on it! So much I want to do!
48 comments:
So that's Alex's secret!!! I just thought he wasn't human. Okay, maybe that is partly true. No mere human can comment on that many posts in a day and do everything else he does. :)
Sorry, no advice on patience from me, other than: Feel the zen!
No idea what that means, but it sounds good.
Must be another writers curse - no patience - I have none either, and yet when it really comes down to it - I have quit a lot. And so do you, just feels like you don't.
Congrats on the reviews! Hoping over to read them not, and I'm with Stina, feel the zen! Sounds wonderful!
I think the cure for impatience in writers is a new project. lol
Just remember it's not a race. Even though we're not promised tomorrow, for most of us we still have a lot of time.
I'm not the most patient person either, but I am trying to enjoy the journey and the process and not just focus on the results. Easier said than done, I know! :)
I have no advice on how to be patient, LoL. But I'll be closely watching these comments here because I sure could use some advice, too! :)
Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Lord, grant me the patience...
We are an impatient bunch, aren't we?
And now you know why I don't have kids. Little time eaters!
Ah, I know how you feel. That sense of too much to do and so much of it being urgent! I'm failing miserably at getting my head round it, so no advice except take a step back! Good luck!
Oh it is so much in so little time sometimes. Congratulations on all that you have going on. What an interesting twist to be busy because you've seen your dream to fruition!
And yes, kids do throw a monkey wrench in the time, doggonnit.
No advice on being patient other than to focus on the little time-eaters, lol.
The word patience does not exist in my vocabulary at all. Sadly my children have all developed the same faulty gene :) So no advice, but if you figure it out ....
Suzanne @ Suzannes-Tribe
Congrats on that great review by Huntress! :)
Enjoy those time eaters and congrats on Pop Travel girl.
"Patience, Yeah, yeah! How long will that take?"
-Tae Kwon Leap.
But it's so true. Give the time eaters a hug. Send them to bed, and write!
Ergh, the hurry up and wait can be so frustrating when you have characters screaming in your brain. Hope you hear back soon and find a little writing time on the side! ;)
I am impatient too! It's so hard. I wish I had a device that would FFWD and Rewind time whenever I need.
When something's eating at me I try to distract myself with other activites (which it sounds like you have plenty of). I say dive into life and you'll find you're so otherwise occupied that you won't even notice how much time has passed. (That's what always happens to me, hence the time management problem).
Good luck with the reviews, the book fairs and everything else!
It's difficult to be patient at times. You just have to distract yourself with writing more and reading good books! :)
Patience?
Sorry.
I'm still looking for my eye dropper of patience.
Just remember how long we waited to get this far.
Heather
hurry up and wait pretty much sums it up.
mood
Time is the greatest obstacle for many of us, but it's nice that you have good stuff going.
Great IWSG post!
Kim Lajevardi
(This Writer's Growing)
Oh, I'm sure you've got patience. It's just that we've got to always remind ourselves of our skills at utilizing it. Patience is one of those things that sometimes have to be consciously decided upon. Once we do that, it's easy. Until the next day!
I'm happy for your reviews and progresses with your writing. Writer’s Mark
I know the feeling - good stuff happening but not RIGHT THIS SECOND. It can be very frustrating. :)
You are rocking it! My best heel cooler is to keep writing. Blogging helps too.
patience is my enemy. so, i can't suggest watching paint dry as practice, but elizabeth is write...i mean right. just keep writing and doing it to pass time!
I haven't met a writer yet with patience. Waiting is hard stuff. My outlet is cleaning. Sounds silly I know. But I can think of my next wip while scrubbing away, and it takes my mind somewhat off what I'm waiting to hear! Today I added my blog to the IWSG, it sure seems like a fantastic group. Good Luck, Tara.
I'm one of those patient people. To me it doesn't make any sense to be impatient. If you know you have to wait -- think of doctor offices, check-out lines -- does being impatient get you were you want to be any faster? Does being impatient get you to the head of the line any quicker? Does being impatient get the work done any faster?
I think the opposite is true. I think impatience steals your time, steals your ability to enjoy small (and large things.) I think impatience is a little killer of living life.
When you find yourself feeling impatient step back, become conscious of your breathing. Think about the blessings in your life. Be thankful for the fact that you have the time to spend waiting. Fill that waiting with observing/noticing/
seeing/hearing/tasting/feeling/ what is around you. Or fill that waiting with doing something else.
Life is too short to spend it wasting time wanting the future to get here sooner than it will. It is all the present. Be aware of it.
Okay, I'm sorry, I'll get of my soapbox now.
My secret is to keep myself so busy I don't have time to worry about anything.
Are you working on three novels at the same time right now? Why not??
Looks like you got a lot on your plate. Remember to enjoy it! I can't wait for the kids to go back to school. =)
Goodness I don't see how you have time to do hardly anything my friend. You definitely have my respect that's for sure.
Hi, Tara,
Being short on patience, I understand your situation.
Getting immersed in a new project helps take my mind of things when I'm getting antsy.
Kids ARE so demanding, aren't they? My son seems to think I should cook for him EVERY day. He doesn't believe me that cereal makes a perfectly acceptable dinner. Sheesh. :P
But, really, it is hard to balance it all. I can't imagine how busy writers are when their novels first come out. All that time promoting and hustling for reviews. Plus you have to start writing the next novel and the next and the next... It's crazy. I hope you find some downtime soon to just relax.
Wow time sure must be tough, always something though. But yeah, kids suck it away big time.
Well that's one thing I have in common with THE ninja :D
When you learn the key to patience can you post about it, I'd love to know the secret!
I'm looking forward to reading Pop Travel, but as you probably know with TBR lists they can take some conquering. I am also a slower reader but I'll definitely be getting to it.
Good luck with your waiting :-)
I remember the rush of a new school year. The fact that you're not sleepwalking is a miracle. Breathe, take it one step at a time, and do what you can.
M.L. Swift, Writer
Patience is a quality I appreciate but I do not seem to possess. So I totally relate! Have a nice weekend!
Patience? I know where there's a sale on some. Call me. Soon. No. Right now! Immediately.
Too late!
There's always so much to do! I love your book! I'm almost done reading it. It was so great to meet you in person at your signing!
I don't know anyone who likes waiting for the good things. The best you can do is carry on and occupy yourself with what you CAN do. That is all I know.
I try to work on something new while I'm waiting; that way I'm so invested in the current project, I don't notice that I'm still waiting on so many responses from editors and agents. Back to school, eh? I go back tomorrow: my 15th year teaching. I definitely enjoy the summers away from my 100+ little time-eaters, but I love them and look forward to working with them in the classroom again.
I read somewhere to never ask god for patience as you won't like the way you have to learn it. :)
Guess what - We are flying home tonight (over the next 30 hours) and I am reading Pop Travel!!! I finally bought my copy, as I am a slow reader and needed a solid block of reading time.
Not quite sure how to help with the patience thing. I wish my next book could be ready NOW! But writing a book isn't exactly a quick thing!
I hope you get favorable responses to your signing event requests--and lots of positive reviews!
def enjoy the ride...it can get bogged down in details that we have to take care of but can also take us from what we love...and school shopping, well that is important as well...smiles..patience...i got no advice there..ha...
I'm in the middle of a patience problem, too :( I'll follow you through these comments looking for advice. I'm glad we aren't alone (:
Good luck on your new release! I like the sound of pop travel...very intriguing.
finally made all the rounds! thanks for stopping by and saying a few words! you guys boost my spirits!
Had to laugh at your comment about Alex. It does seem as if he works on some supercharged vitamins or something!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting. Have a great weekend! :)
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