Final Vlog for 10 things to do while waiting...

The long lost last v-log is finally here. The number one and two things to do while waiting for your editor to get back to you is below... All ya gotta do is look and listen. As always, this is my opinion and is only based on my experience as a writer.
Take it or leave it.
It works for me and some of you have asked what it is that I do to promote and achieve success in this crazy business we call publishing.

Enjoy!



If you missed the other 8 things... here are the links:

3 & 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr6rl7mo7B4

5 & 6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waem2r3tIbk

7 & 8 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1FxXDPvrFA

9 & 10 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZgOzlvzGWs

Hurry up and wait

When I first started writing, I was in an all fire hurry to finish my manuscripts. Maybe because I wanted to know that I could complete a book, or maybe because if I didn’t hurry I’d put it aside and never complete it. Then when the book was written, I rushed through edits. (big mistake) Then I rushed to make and send out the dreaded synopsis and query letters. As rejection after rejection came in I realized that I needed to slow down… take my time and learn so much in order to make it in this business.

I take much more time writing that first draft these days, and even longer to work through edits. My work then goes to a trusted CP who I’ll wait for as long as it takes to hear back from. Then I’ll re-work my manuscript until she shines.

Once the query / synopsis / and partial is sent off its time to wait again. No matter how long it took me to get to this point, the wait is hard. However, if I didn’t take the time in my earlier steps then chances are this wait will be in vain and I’ll be revising something before a contract is offered.

So here I am… Four lovely contracts overshadow any and all rejections I’ve had in the past and still I’m waiting. Binding Vows is with a second final reader and I don’t yet have a release date. Kilt Worthy is with my editor for more edits, Soul Mate is in line and edits haven’t even begun, and last but certainly not least… Before the Moon Rises, is in line as well and waiting for that first pass of edits.

Here I was all worried when my contracts were coming in last November and December that I would have a hard time juggling edits with all these titles being contracted at once. Instead of growing grey hair, I’m once again waiting.

Publishing is most definitely a business of hurry up and wait. I’m told that once the book is finally on the shelf, and sales start trickling in there is still a feeling of… “wait…did my review come in?... wait… did I sell anything today? Wait…Wait… Wait…”

I’m not a patient person. But I’m doing so much better than I did last year at this time. There is no reason to hurry in this business. Just be the tortoise and crawl along toward the goal and you’ll find yourself there. With all your hair in place and none of it peppered with grey.