The Waiting Game….
Written by Michele T on October 5, 2007 – 3:05 pm -By
Photo Credit: RoseViolet333
I’m anxious to share my writing news: This week has been a great week! I’ve made some sales, spoken to nice editors (via e-mail and telephone), and *fingers crossed* am almost certain that I have managed to secure an ongoing writing gig (I’ll be using a pseudonym for this one, as I sometimes do)!
An essay I’ve sold to a magazine may end up in the online version only, or the print magazine–the editor isn’t sure yet. So, I’ll share that information when I find out more. I love to write and sell essays, so it’s always a joy when these opportunities arise.
Another sale I made was to Common Ties. I sold a quickie in the epiphany category, so that was nice! If all goes as planned, I’ll be able to post the link to my quickie, October 15th.
Overall, I’m pleased with my writing progress. I’m learning a lot as I go, and I definitely want to continue to learn and hone my craft. I never want to think my writing is perfect (it’s far from it)!
I’m thrilled that I get to write and sell my words, my thoughts, my expressions…. I can’t imagine NOT . It’s just who I am. I live and breathe and dream and aspire and exist–to write.
Not everyone understands the incessant need a writer feels to write, the burning inspiration we must “splash” onto our pages. Whether it’s a novel, short story, essay, poem, informational article, or even just a diary or blog, I think only we writers understand that passion.
Family and/or friends almost make us feel like our writing is senseless, like it isn’t going anywhere, like we should do something “worthwhile”, like our writing just doesn’t matter. What they don’t understand is that if we didn’t write, we would wither away, shrivel up, become gray and part of us would just die.
So, we write… We continue to play the waiting game (after a while, it’s second nature), and we write and wait. The waiting pays off, though!
If you’re reading this, and you’re discouraged about your writing dreams coming true, pick yourself up and persevere. Keep writing, keep submitting, keep believing, and keep waiting.
Patience is a virtue (I believe) all successful writers possess. Dig deep and find patience. It’s in there!
And, good luck writing the cyber highway!
Tags: advice, encouragement, Inspiration, online clips
Posted in Inspiration, Writing News | 15 Comments »
October 5th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Congratulations, Michele! You really inspire me!
Keep us posted with info about where we can read your work
[Reply]
October 5th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Oh, thanks for your very kind words, Becca!
I will keep you posted–as soon as I find out, my readers will find out!
Smiles,
Michele
[Reply]
October 5th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Michele,
Good for you! And don’t let anyone discourage you concerning writing – it is your life and what you want (need) to do.
Most people could always use improvment on their writing skills, myself included. But even so, no one can teach you how to *think* or how to *tell a story*. This is especially true for those who write fiction. Each person is unique in this area. It is part of what makes you, you, or them, them.
A tidbit:
Concerning poetry, I love to write in free-style. However, in college, I stood corrected. My english and literature instructors disapproved of the style. I sent a few poems to the US Copyright Office for copyrights and this is interesting: Day Lily (written in proper form and style) was noted as poetry, while Landscape (written in free-style) was not noted as poetry, only listed as text.
So your post is absolutely right on, and I wish you lots of luck.
[Reply]
October 5th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Hi Deborah,
What a nice, encouraging post! Thank you
Thanks for the tidbit, as well. I learned a little something!
I wish you the best, too!
Smiles,
Michele
[Reply]
October 5th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Congratulations! I’m thrilled you are finding success and am blessed that you are sharing your journey with us.
blesssings,
julia
julia ward – a BLINDING heart – a writer’s blog
http://www.ablindingheart.com
[Reply]
October 5th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Thanks, Julia!
You know, among the best advice I’ve ever received is this:
“Accept rejection, and move on!”
Rejection letters are depressing, and they just outright hurt sometimes. But we have to understand that maybe another writer just beat us to the punch and already submitted/queried about the same or real similar topic.
Maybe the editor/publication isn’t looking for anything like the idea we wrote about or queried about.
And, sometimes, the editors are merely soooooooo swamped, we just get lost amongst the multitudes of other emails they receive.
And… SOMETIMES the editors hold on to our submission for a few weeks or months because they’re seriously considering it…and/or even send the oh-so-exciting acceptance email/letter!!!
Be encouraged, have patience, and keep writing–it WILL pay off!
Smiles and best wishes
Michele
[Reply]
October 6th, 2007 at 7:43 am
You’re mood is infectious Michele! Thanks for the inspiring encouragement. It can be hard to continue slugging through the cyber trenches on this highway but we fight on and it is so wonderful to hear of success found in the field.
Congratulations for your latest acceptances and here’s to many more in the future!
[Reply]
October 6th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Thanks, Rebecca, and your welcome! I appreciate your kind words about my accomplishments
*Blushing*
You know, it is hard to face so much rejection as we trudge the cyber highway. If you’re not a writer, you can’t understand it.
I’ve had many older, much more accomplished writers tell me that I will indeed make it in the end because I have such determination.
I can’t explain it, but I have a burning inferno deep inside me to write, be published, and encourage others along the way.
I think a lot of times, even more than an informative writer’s blog, this is an inspirational place for other writers to come to, just to recharge and find encouragement they may not get elsewhere.
Always remember:
“The turtle won the race!”
Smiles and best wishes for your writing success, and thanks for being such a kind cyber friend!
Michele
[Reply]
October 6th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Hi Michele,
Congratulations on all your successes! I can’t wait to read your quickie on Common Ties! Your post is so inspirational, it may even get me going a bit more than I do.
I am so happy for you, my dear. You deserve all your success and more!
Always with the warmest regards,
Renie
[Reply]
October 6th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Hello Renie,
What a nice comment! Thank you for your very kind words, I appreciate them greatly.
You, Renie, are an inspiration to me, and I value your friendship beyond words.
I aspire to be even half the great writer you are!
Smiles,
Michele
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October 7th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Michele,
Congratulations on the sale! Keep writing, keep submitting and keep smiling.
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October 7th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Hi Misti,
Thanks so much for stopping by, and for your sweet words of encouragement!
Smiles and best wishes on YOUR writing,
Michele
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October 8th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Michele,
What a great inspiration you are to writers who may be discouraged. Keep up the great work and congrats on the sale to Common Ties.
Mary
[Reply]
October 8th, 2007 at 3:05 am
Hello Mary,
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave such a kind comment! Your gracious words are greatly appreciated
Many blessings,
Michele
[Reply]
May 27th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
[...] up to now (because I just moved from Blogger to WordPress, for anyone just tuning in). I came to this post about patience. Check out what I said at the end of that post! Patience is a virtue (I believe) all successful [...]