My Writing Journey, Uncategorized

When You’re Still Waiting… What To Do

Ritu

Waiting.

It’s painful.

Seriously.

I feel like I’m in limbo.

It’s been six weeks (or just over, actually) since I submitted my manuscript to a publication house. They said they aim to reply to all queries within around six weeks.

And in that six weeks, I have started back at school, and felt the most deadening exhaustion ever. I haven’t been able to get creative at all.

But, if I had the right energy levels, what could I be doing? What could any writer be doing?

  • Start thinking of another project to take your mind off the current situation
  • Take a little mental break
  • Read – both fiction and non fiction
  • Take part in little challenges (or big – I signed up to NaNoWriMo this year, but whether I could actually write 50,000 words in November, is anyone’s guess!)
  • Build up your social media audience
  • Consider starting an email newsletter (Still thinking about this…)
  • Read some of your older work – you may see something new in it.

Aside from trying to get my energy back, I have read a lot (when I don’t fall asleep with the book in my hands) and invested in some new craft books to help improve my writing. And I have been looking for my plans for book two and three too.

But honestly, my creativity has taken a real hit with this tiredness. And not hearing back from the publisher yet, has me on edge.

What is keeping me going, keeping me for letting go of my dream, is the encouragement from others who have been with me on this journey. My beta readers, who know what my story is, and one in particular who was so excited to hear that I am planning a couple more stories involving the characters in my first book.

Surely that must mean something, that someone wants to know more about these figments of my imagination?

Hearing back from this publisher in a positive way will be a certain type of validation for me, but if that doesn’t work out, I’ll be heading on that Indie trail, with the confidence that at least 5 out of 5 of the people who read my manuscript enjoyed it and were excited by it.

That’s gotta mean something, right?

Published by Ritu

A writer and blogger who teaches, and is a wife and mother too. Enjoy my ramblings on life, love and literature. 💖

44 thoughts on “When You’re Still Waiting… What To Do”

  4. Yes indeed it does Sis, I loved it. I saw it all unfold infront of me like a movie! I believe I said I wanted more because you hinted at so much more to come and I want it. You have a rare talent Ritu never fear you will succeed 💜💜💜💜

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    1. Thng is, Jennie, I had all but decided to do this as an Indie Author, and something made me submit… And I knew there was a six week wait for feedback, so it was times quite well, as I don’t think I would have been very good with anything creative wise the last few weeks. I am about to write another post all about the response I received…

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      1. I know what you mean about the creativity being a dry well while you’re in limbo waiting to hear. Many of my submissions had said six to eight weeks, and it was closer to eight weeks before I heard back. I’m glad you did this, as it’s a good experience. I will be eager to read your post. Hugs to you, my friend! ❤️

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