Walking on the streets, the trees and the slope of the ground hide the White House really well. You could be walking right next to it, and not realize it. But with a little perspective, you have a much clearer picture.
This was taken from the top of the Washington Monument. The street you see is Constitution Ave. You might call it the main drag. That LONG WALK turned out to only be 2 blocks.
The publication process . . . whatever stage you may be in (writing, querying, on submission, waiting for publication date) . . . can sometimes feel like it takes a LONG TIME. And sometimes it does. But someday, when you have a little perspective on your experiences, you might realize that it didn't take as long as it felt like it did.
Does that make waiting any easier? Probably not. But I do try to keep it all in perspective. ;)
What has your experience been? Is the wait worth it?
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18 comments:
I think everything about the writing process feels like it takes so long! :) It's so weird to think, I started writing a book a year and a half ago for a senior project, and I've finished both it and the sequel, and edited them both. It feels like I've been writing these stories for years! :) It isn't as long as it seems, you're so right. And yes, I'd definitely say the wait was worth it. :D
Yes, that makes a lot of sense. Recently I took a detour, and left my book behind to work on another book. I need to get back on the main drag.
My husband is constantly reminding me to take a step back. Sometimes, to change my perspective I just need to go for a hike.
I want to go back to DC now. What a magical town. Love it there! And yes, the wait is worth it!
My road to publication has been extremely long and winding. Now, I’m trying to get a synopsis turned into my editor, and I wish I had more time!
My road to publication has been extremely long and winding. Now, I’m trying to get a synopsis turned into my editor, and I wish I had more time!
This is a great post, Janet. When you're traveling somewhere for the first time, the journey to get there always seems to take forever, and then when you're coming back on the same road it's like, "Well, that was quick!" I think you're absolutely right -- our concept of time gets skewed when we're impatient for something to happen. The waiting game of writing is one of the most brutal!
Amy
My writing journey has been long, too, with lots of stops and starts. I like your analogy to the trip to DC. We took that trip once as chaperones to a youth group. Come to think of it, I could draw writing inspiration from that memory--like when I took a flash photo in the National Archives building, with signs all around saying "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY" because I thought I had--but really hadn't--set the new camera to no flash. How embarrassing to have a guard at your shoulder in a second and a bunch of teenagers looking on. Maybe I should work that one into a scene somewhere!
My mother's been to DC, and ever since she returned with stories about it, I've wanted to visit.
All I can say about waiting is that it will be worth it one day! And for everyone else, how could it not be if that's what you love to do?
Waiting for that coveted acceptance or dreaded rejection can be hard on my old brain! I recently had a nonfiction article accepted six months after I submitted it, so I just find other things to write while I wait. :)
Oh the journey is long, but I think it will be worth it. It's the small victories along the way I savour too -- like finishing an edit, writing a query. The evil synopsis writing. lol
I'm not a patient person, but I think the wait will be worth it.
And BTW- I'm going to D.C. for the first time in April. Your picture piqued my interest!
I used to live outside DC but never went up in the monument! Great picture.
Yes, this process is a long one but I think we all keep so busy during it by writing and writing that times goes and it isn't so painful--at least for me. Because the joy for me is in the writing.
Worth it? It's hard to say, since I haven't seen a payoff yet and fifteen years of my life seems like an awfully long time from my current perspective. LOL We'll see.
Look at you! 186 followers! Holy frejoles, how do you do it?
So true. Thanks for the reminder about perspective.
I really hope so--no--I definitely think so--no, I know so! The wait will definitely be worth it :D
Thanks for the reminder!
I decided not to wait this year, and learn be in the mind set that doing is what it's about. It hasn't been easy! But starting and finishing small projects everyday, even if it is just taking a photograph, makes me feel better about the bigger goals that take a lot longer to for results to show.
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