Top 10 list of things to do while waiting

One thing that is a constant in the publishing world is waiting.

There is always something.

When you're querying agents, you're waiting on responses.
When you on submission to editors, you're waiting on responses.
When your book has sold, you're waiting on the editorial letter.
When edits are done, you're waiting and wondering about the cover.
When the book is basically done, you're waiting on professional reviews.
When the book is out in the world, you're waiting and wondering about sales and readers' reactions.

I am not kidding when I say it never, ever ends!

So you have to find a way to deal with it. Here are my top ten ways of dealing with the waiting.

10. Snuggle with your pet(s) and tell them all your worries.

9. Bake yummy things

8. Go do something fun, like float on the river. Unless it's February. Because, well, not fun.

7. Play Cards Against Humanity with friends (if you are over 18). You will forget everything in life and laugh your face off, and it will be glorious. Since I'm a decent human being (most of the time) I picked a clean one for the sake of the children.

6. Search out quotes and post them on social media. Why? Because it's fun to play with the apps, that's why.

5. Go for walks and take photos of pretty flowers. Unless it's February. Then stay inside and drink hot cocoa and scroll through your feed and remember days gone by and the pretty flowers. Actually, if it's February, just get on a plane and go to Hawaii.

4. Write a blog post and search out fun gifs. Like the following:

3. Watch a really good TV series. Personally, I've really enjoyed Rectify and Mr. Robot this summer. And good grief, if you haven't watched Friday Night Lights, what are you waiting for???

2 . Keep writing. Always keep writing.

1. All of this is to basically say, don't sit around waiting. Get on with your life!

Motivational Monday - on waiting

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." ~Carl Sagan

HERE, you'll see that literary agent Jenn Laughran explains why it's really not a good idea to publicly talk about what's out on submission. So, I will refrain on talking about that as far as my work goes.

But I heard something the other day that I wanted to pass on. Because I know the waiting can be hard at times. It doesn't bother me nearly as much now as it used to. It's simply a part of the publishing business, and I decided a while ago that if I'm going to be in this business, I basically have to accept that fact, even if I don't like it much.

Joyce Meyer says that when we get frustrated that something hasn't happened that we've been waiting for, we should stop and send up a prayer of thanks. Because in that moment, God is working on our behalf, even if we can't see the results of that work yet. So we can say, "Thank you for working on my behalf," and be comforted by the fact that things are happening, even if we can't really see those things.

We aren't a very patient society. Especially today, when you can see the news the minute it happens by logging into twitter or facebook. But when it comes to the publishing business, we really have to learn how to be patient. There is no other way. The waiting will drive you crazy if you let it. So don't let it. Keep busy. Keep working. Tell yourself when the time is right, it will happen. And in the meantime, be grateful for the unseen work being done on your behalf.

Do you have any tips you can share about how you deal with the waiting?

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In other news - I want to make sure you know about two events coming up this month. First, this Friday, Feb. 12th at 4:30, I'll be doing a Young Writer's Workshop at Powell's Bookstore on Cedar Hills Blvd. in Beaverton. This workshop is mostly for kids ages 10-18, but I sat in on the last one and they didn't kick me out. So, come if you'd like! And then, on Saturday, Feb. 26th, I'm doing a YA panel with four other YA authors at the Sumner Pierce County Library in Sumner, WA, starting at 2:00. We'll be speaking, answering questions, and selling and signing books. So come if you're in the area! Remember, you can always check my "events" page on my website, to see what's coming up and where I'll be.