I have to say I didn't much accomplished last week. Family, technical problems, and a little bit of soccer drama took over my life.
But that's okay, because I don't need to be in a hurry.
On my commute to work there is one stretch of road where one lane goes faster than the other. It's hard to watch cars zoom past you, so it's very tempting to jump into the right lane. What you can't see is that further down the road there are two merge lanes clogging up that side of the road and eventually everyone traveling on the left flies by those who thought they were getting ahead.
There's been lots of times in my writing journey when I've jumped into that right lane, whether it be querying too early, not taking the time to really make sure the book is ready, or not being able to let go of a project. Inevitable this has slowed me down and I've watched people pass me.
If there's one thing I've learned over the past couple of years is patience. Nothing in this industry happens fast, so we shouldn't be in a hurry. We need to take our time and figure out what kind of author we want to be, what kind of book we want to write, and then strive to do the best we can and then strive to do better.
That's my goal this week: Strive to do better - if it means just writing one sentence better.
How about you? Is it hard not to be in a hurry and what are you striving to do this week?
17 comments:
I find it's hard not to rush sometimes, but a lot of things are beyond my control (e.g. response times). I try to keep steadily working towards my goal...this week it's the new novel I'm starting.
It is hard but I've learned it's much better to wait!
Waiting is definitely better. I'm reading through my ms this week, then it's off to the first round of beta readers. Then I get to catch up on my huge TBR pile. :D
*sigh* Patience. I hate it... Good for you for learning it, though. What's the secret?! ;)
This is a very important post as too many people are in such a hurry in all aspects of life. For writers, the temptation to query too early or submit a manuscript before it's finished has always been there. But patience is definitely the key.
It's so hard for me. My dad has always said I have no patience, and he's right. :(
Great reminder regarding patience! Thank you!
OMG, it seems like I'm always in a hurry. I really need to be more patient. :P
See, you are like my husband. He always jumps into the fastlane. Anyway, I sometimes wish I was in the fastlane to publishing, but I'm like a little old grandma going down the highway at 30 miles an hour.
This is a great post. I'm definitely the one waiting in the slower lane, hopping that in the end it will merge nicely with the faster one. But I have to go at the pace that works with my life.
Yes, it's hard, but worth it.
I really like your analogy. I tend to get irritated with those cars that speed pass me but grin when I pull up beside them at a stop light! I'm always working on being content with what I have done, am doing, and on being patient with the process.
I can so relate to this. There are times when I think I've jumped on the "I need to be published NOW" bandwagon. I'm very glad that I'm not published with the last three novels I queried because I don't think I had found my true "voice" yet. The novel I'm working on now is, I think, some of my deepest work yet and I'm looking forward to seeing where it takes me.
I love not being in a hurry, too. I try to do that every day! :-)
I leaped into my first projects. Now, I query slow, and take my time. Two agents that I LOVE LOVE LOVE have my MS, and I'm partially tempted to wait until I hear from them. Even if I was signed tomorrow, it would take FOREVER for my book to go out.
Patience is HUGE
My life is full of trying to tie up loose ends this week...hate that...I even had to make a list of them...a list of loose ends..can you imagine?
Oh, it's one of the hardest things I can think of. I'm still in a hurry, all the time. I want to finish this, submit that, sell here, etc.
But you're so right. There is no race in publishing. You just have to write the best book you can.
That's a good comparison, Patti! Patience is so hard but pays off in the long run.
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