First Wednesday of the month. :) Time for Insecure Writer's Support Group. Check out the others here.
I am in the middle of the waiting game. (As I know many of us are.) And I'm fine with it, really I am. I have other projects I'm working on, plus, ya' know, real life to keep me busy. What I don't like is having to answer the "So, have you heard anything yet?" questions.
I know people are curious, and excited for me, but it always makes me feel like a bit of a disappointment. "Nope, nothing yet," I say. I try to explain that it is totally normal to wait months for a response, but I know (to some) it sounds like bull. If they were interested, surely I'd have heard something, right? And while I can tell myself (and believe it) that that's not really the case, I still feel uncomfortable when asked what the status is on my submissions.
Does anyone else feel that way, or are you all so cool and confident it just doesn't get to you? ;) I wish I was that way.
Honestly, this is why I don't talk much about where I am in the submission/hearing back process. Once I hear back and I can tell people, I do. Otherwise I keep it to myself and my very closest writerly friends, because I HATE getting asked "Have you heard anything?" and having to answer "Not yet." I wish people wouldn't ask! I know it's usually out of excitement, but I tend to assume that unless people have shared good news, they either haven't heard anything or they've gotten bad news they don't want to share.
ReplyDeleteLike Annie, I don't tend to tell people when I'm submitting - I'll announce it on my blog, but I know the people who read that wouldn't ask the question.
ReplyDeleteI haven't attempted querying yet, but I'm pretty sure I would feel the way you do! Good luck with it! <3
ReplyDeleteAnnie & Annalisa- Yeah, I normally wouldn't tell more than a handful of people, either. The thing is, I had a request for a full and my husband got so excited he told pretty much everyone he knows. :P
ReplyDeleteKyra- Thanks! :)
That question is the reason I don't tell anyone (anymore) when I'm submitting something. Not even my significant other. That way I also don't have to tell them when I get rejected.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Thanks! Apparently my significant other is the one I shouldn't have told, since he's the one with the big mouth! In the future, that may be the way to go. :)
DeleteI'm in the waiting game too :) Good luck and I promise not to ask if you've hear, I'll just wait to see a post saying, "I got the call!". That will be awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat would be awesome, but I will admit my hopes are not high at the moment. But just the fact that I've had a bit of interest has given me some confidence that I'm doing something right. :)
DeleteThanks!
Rachel--That is exciting! I'll keep my fingers (quietly) crossed for you. ;)
ReplyDeleteCool and confident, not quite. I think when talking to another writer, it feels okay about saying I heard nothing. But to a non-writer, I always feel like I gotta tack on that, well it can take years to even get noticed by an agent, because they don't understand how long it could take.
ReplyDeleteI don't tell anyone when I'm waiting because I can't bear the questions!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually tell anyone about my submissions until after I've got a response (or given up on getting one)
ReplyDeleteDon't tell anyone and they won't ask! That was my strategy.
ReplyDeleteI only share my submissions with my writer friends who know what it's like. Everyone else only hears about it whenever I get a 'yes'!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the waiting game with my 2nd MS, but as soon as I query my 3rd MS, the only ppl I'm telling are the hubs and my beta's. I hate trying to explain to family and friends the whole process because they don't understand why agents/pubs take so long...I've tried telling them that agents/pubs are busy and are reading a ton of other material, but it doesn't do any good. So next time, mums the word. :D
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I am a calm and cool, but only on the outside. On the inside I suffer from OIRX. It's a real disease I tell you.
ReplyDeleteThe waiting game is difficult, especially since you put in months or years into your novel. Occupy yourself (although it sounds like you have) with other stuff, perhaps the call/letter will come as a nice surprise.
ReplyDeleteWaiting is tough. Telling people your submission didn't make it is tougher. But having submissions declined is part of being a writer, and we've gotta be able to take it and keep going! And if we love writing enough, we will. Good luck with your patience in waiting :)
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
BTW there's a blog award waiting over at my blog for you.
ReplyDelete