This is a hard one for me, I have to say. I'm really a "want it now" kind of person. Like, I want my 18 month old to be sleeping through the night, RIGHT NOW! Sadly, as with children's sleep habits, most things in life are not "right now" things. Including finding time to write.
Patience for me means that I have to trust someone else's time table, whether that's a critique partner, an agent, a family member, or something else. Patience means relinquishing my need to control circumstances and timing so that I can get the best possible results. Patience also means not getting frustrated by that lack of control.
This is especially applicable to me right now. I'm in the middle of a bunch of waiting. Waiting for the last couple of things to fall into place. And then, a whole new round of waiting starts. If I'd known just how much waiting is involved in writing, I don't think I would have embarked on this massive journey. (Okay. I still would have. It's a good lesson for me. In Patience.)
So, what does patience mean to you? When do you have to use patience in your process?
8 comments:
Patience is that thing you learn about when everything stops and you want to scream and shout but you can't because it would do no good. No, I'm not a fan.
I'm a right now person too. The waiting seems ridiculous in the writing world to me. Although I've been around the block a few times and have learned to accept it. I'm waiting right now too and I'm taking it a lot better then usual. Thanx Lord! =)
When do I need to use patience in my process? Umm...EVERY SINGLE PAGE and every single day. I have no patience, though, so it's a challenge! :-)
I'm the world's least patient person. Trust me. I wish pretty much on an hourly basis for a magic wand to wave at everything that needs to be done.
Patience - argh. I wish I was more patient! That's why I do need to remind myself to appreciate the now, because hopefully it will help me be patient!
ohhhh bestie. the waiting never gets easier. patience is an inexorable element of the publishing industry. you must have it. or perish.
luckily, you DO have it, otherwise you wouldn't be where you are today. ;D
hang in there, love!
At least I'm not alone - I'm not even remotely a patient person. I hate waiting and if I can't find something to distract myself, I'd go insane. (While insanity may make for some inventive stories, my family doesn't appreciate it much - figures)
When do I use patience? Every single day, bar none. It's like a game now. How long can I be patient. Or is that impatient in and of itself :)
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