Patience is a Virtue and Silence is Bliss, ya right? Say's who?

Patience is a Virtue and Silence is Bliss.

Says who?

I’m not good with either of those two things. I struggle with patience—I tend to go the way of immediate gratification. It works for me. If I want something, I buy it. Save up for it, you say? Oh, that’s poppycock. If I want you to do something for me (pick up your socks, put away your toys, take a look at the broken  whatever) I want it done now. Not later.  Don’t say “In just a minute.” That eerks me to no end.  Just do it.

Silence isn’t bliss either. It usually means someone it up to no good (a toddler smearing diaper cream all over his baby sister’s face and body; a child flushing perfume bottles down the toilet; or child coloring on the walls). Now, don’t get me wrong, I do like my silence. When I am blessed to find some, I hold onto it. I treasure it. I envelope it.

Now, as a writer, I find silence to be a necessity. I need silence so I can listen to the little voices inside my head and write their story. This is a good silence. (And just for the record, if you happen to see me anywhere, doing what appears to be “nothing,” nine times out of ten, I’m writing. I’m figuring out plot lines, or character development, or thinking how to create a sequel. My little voices are constantly nagging me).

And as a writer, patience is needed as well. The whole act of writing requires patience. The whole process of submitting queries and cover letters to agents and editors requires patience. So what’s a non-patient person, such as myself to do?

Suck it up. That’s about all the advice I’ve got. Suck it up and keep busy, keep writing.

Right now, my manuscript for Desert Rice is out with publishing houses. Will they like it or won’t they? I don’t know. Since submitting the final edits to my agent and having her telling me she will prepare the manuscript to be sent out after Thanksgiving, I’ve heard nothing. Not one word. Not one email or phone call. Nothing.

Email her, you say? I can’t. I don’t want to look needy or pushy. Agents hate that (just check out their blogs). So, I sit here “patiently” waiting in silence. This is tough for me. Very tough.  I hate it when my future is unknown (okay, technically it is known—either the manuscript will be published or it won’t. That’s all there is folks). But still. It’s hard to wait and wonder and hope and dream.

It’s hard to wait in silence.

BUT, I’m grateful I started a new project in the meantime. Being busy writing my latest novel really does help to keep my mind off the current situation (except for now since I’m blogging about it). I’ve had several people ask, “So have you heard anything about your book?” And the answer is no. Nothing.  Not yet.

I guess for now, I should be grateful I haven’t heard anything. It still means I have a chance, right? No news is good news, right? Because once the news comes rolling in, there’s no going back—good, bad or otherwise. It will be what it will be.

So, fingers crossed as I silently wait, trying to learn these valuable traits of patience and enjoying silence (Yuck. I’m still working on it). I will continue writing my latest book , which is a few chapters from being a completed first draft. This is a good thing, a helpful thing. I suggest that while you query one book, be writing your second. That’s probably some of the best advice I’ve ever been given, so I pass it on to you.

Keep busy. Keep writing. That’s what I will do. I will press forward.  

As soon as I hear anything, you can bet your bottom dollar (I love Annie) I will let you know. That’s a given.