At a recent writing workshop I attended, an agent on the
panel described the pace of the publishing world as glacial. Those of you awaiting
responses on queries, contests, and submissions can verify that the agent was not
exaggerating. Publishing is a slow process. But if you want to be successful within that world, you must be prepared to wait…a lot.
And let’s face it, we live in a ‘fastfood’ society; waiting is not our strong
suit.
Being stuck
in the limbo of the unknown is unsettling. But here’s the thing, there’s nothing you can do to speed up the process; however there are some things you can do to make the wait more enjoyable…or at
least more bearable. All you need to do is take a "queue" from Disney's Imagineers.
If you've ever stood in line for one of the popular attractions at Walt Disney World, you know the wait times can be daunting.
But you also know Imagineers put a great deal of effort into making those waits as painless as possible. So what does waiting in line to ride an exciting attraction or meet your favorite character have to do with waiting to hear back from an agent or editor?
It's all about keeping you moving, distracted, and entertained.
The first tool Imagineers use to battle the dreaded wait time is movement. Regardless of the length of the line, they keep their guests moving. It may be weaving back and forth through the queue or moving from one room to another, but they keep you moving forward during your wait.
In writing, you must do the same. Don't stop and wait. Revisit an old project or start a new one, but keep writing.
Another tool Imagineers use to help guests forget about waiting is distraction. They place visual, auditory, and tactile distractions all along the queue.
After you send out your query, manuscript, or submission, distract yourself with a non-writing related hobby. Pick a task you enjoy and can lose yourself in. Something you can channel all that nervous energy into. Most importantly, choose an activity that gives you a sense of accomplishment and rock it out.
The third tool Imagineers use to keep guests sane and happy while waiting in line is entertainment. There are "pre-show" videos to watch, facts about the attraction to read, interactive video games to play, and play areas for the young and young at heart.
Entertainment is a great way to pass time while waiting. Read a novel you've put off while writing or a book on the list of an agent or editor you've queried. Watch a movie you've been dying to see or catch up on that series everyone's been raving about. Play a video game. Go to a concert. Take a trip or visit local areas of interest. Chat with other people in the "publishing queue." They feel your pain. Compare wait time notes and keep each other company.
Or like me, get a puppy. A puppy will keep you moving, distracted, entertained, and slightly sleep deprived.
But above all enjoy yourself.
Or like me, get a puppy. A puppy will keep you moving, distracted, entertained, and slightly sleep deprived.
But above all enjoy yourself.
You can't make time go by any faster when you're waiting, but you can do things to become less conscious of that time. Your answers will eventually come. In the meantime, have some fun!
And regardless of how you choose to pass your wait time, stay positive and remember these two quotes...
and
You're not alone in your waiting. There are many of us waiting in the queue with you. So hang in there, and I hope you get good news soon!
