Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Friday, January 14, 2011

From Eager Writer to Published Author and Back Again

Last night I completed the final edit of House of Diamonds and emailed it to my editor. He has a new Nook and wants to review it on his Nook, so I sent it as a pdf. file. This is when I change from Published Author and Thoughtful Editor to Eager Writer.  

Has he opened the file yet? Will he like it? I think it's perfect, it's done, complete, ready to go-- I hope he agrees! This is when time drags. What, it's only been 24 hours since I emailed it? How long should I wait before asking him if he's read it? Would Monday be too soon? This is when I need to chill. Who else can I get to read it while I'm waiting? I wonder how the cover design is coming? Should I start planning my blog tour?

This is when I find something else to occupy my time or I go crazy.

29 comments:

  1. Hah! I've never been in that position, but I have had to wait to hear back from agents about a full or partial request. It can be heart-rendingly anxious. Not much can be done except to move on to something else, as if that were possible.

    Today's guest blogger is K.M. Walton!

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  2. that's exactly how i am with my crit partner. even though i've given her a deadline for this latest project, i hang around on yahoo chat hoping she'll say something. i'm not sure if that's pathetic or not.

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  3. Good luck with the waiting. You could always outline a new book :)

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  4. It's good to know that it's not just the unplublished that have these fears :) Can't wait for Uncut Diamonds since it is set in a town so close to me!

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  5. Wow, sounds like your mind travels the same super-sonic path as mine :) Good luck with the editor. Try knitting (LOL)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  6. LOL! Deep breaths.
    I'm sure he'll LOVE it. :)

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  7. LOL! (In a totally empathetic way.) Some friends and I were just discussing how "writer time" and "agent/editor time" are on different continuums. What is a quick turnaround to an agent or editor is the Agonies of Waiting-Hell to a writer.

    Hang in there. Chocolate helps. :)

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  8. The journey is such a roller coaster! Finding something to occupy your mind and time is a great idea. I just changed my blog template...that took two whole flippin' days and railroaded every other obligation or necessity in my life. Hope you find what will work for you. Have a great weekend. I'm off to tackle the mountain of laundry I've been ignoring.... :D

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  9. Ahhh! That would drive me crazy! Good luck Karen. =)

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  10. Oh wow!!! Congratulations!!! Oh I have everything crossed for you!! Of course your editor will LOVE it!!!! Yay!! Good luck!!!
    Take care
    x

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  11. Old Kitty, Haha my editor doesn't love anything. What I can hope for is for him to give me a few guidelines to finish up and then he says it's ready for typesetting. Fingers & toes crossed!

    Carolyn V., So since you live around here you can try my cookies right?

    Nicole, How did you change your blog template? Something is wrong with my blogger here and I can't change templates, colors, nothing. So frustrating, because that's always an excellent distraction.

    Linda G., You are so right about agent/editor time vs. writer time! When I'm editing someone else's work I never feel like this but the probably do LOL.

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  12. ha ha nice to see editors get the sub shivers too. I would start planning my blog tour to keep me occupied

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  13. *teehee* I love it! I hope your editor loves it! (and I hope he doesn't take too long to tell you so)

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  14. :) It's good too know we unpublished aren't alone.
    I hope time speeds by--or rather that your editor does so time doesn't have to!

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  15. Oh, I can so feel all that. Seems like a good time to start working on another project. Good luck!

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  16. Oy! The WAITING! It must be told to newbie writers that the waiting never ends. First to hear back from agents, or critique circles, or editors. Whoa!

    Good luck on your book! Hope he loves it!
    Edge of Your Seat Romance

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  17. Yes, you must go and do something else. Something that makes time pass very quickly. Otherwise it's agony.

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  18. You made me grin. I don't think any of us ever truly change from eager writer, no matter how experienced and blase we think we are.

    Jai

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  19. Oh thats funny! I'm sure he will love it! Deep breath and relax. ;)

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  20. Ha! It's an endless cycle, isn't it? And always the crazy waiting time ... :) Hang in there!

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  21. Ha, ha. Too funny. :)

    I usually eat chocolate and drink a lot while I'm waiting for my editors' verdicts.

    Good luck!

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  22. Congrats Karen! I'm sending good vibes for you and your manuscript. I haven't had any internet or email this week--it's nice to come back to something so positive. Fingers crossed for you!

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  23. Congrats! on the milestone. And when you're ready for the tour please keep me in mind as a host. Yeah 24 hours is an eternity when waiting for feedback from an editor.

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  24. Good luck with it and I hope you hear from your editor very soon. Looking forward to your blog tour.

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  25. Relax! You're an old pro at this now!
    I'd probably create an emergency situation so I couldn't think about...

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