I'm actually a really patient person. I had no problem at all being patient enough to improve my craft while writing several books, not querying them, until I got to the skill level where I knew I had a shot. I didn't send out my first ever query until my manuscript shone and all my ducks were in a row. Querying didn't phase me. Neither did going on submission to editors. In my initial phone call with my editor, she offered me a January 2013 or a September 2013 release date. I had no problem turning down the earlier date, because I knew the later one was better for my book.
Buuuuut.....
Guys, I am really struggling with patience right now. Turns out there are a million things in this industry that try our patience--- some to incredible lengths.
So I guess the point is, it doesn't matter how much patience we have. Things will come along that require more of us than we had. There's not a box we mark if we've got it or not. We will ALWAYS need more. And I suspect that the only way to really get it is to make it through times that really try our patience.
Sigh.
I did find a ton of great quotes on patience, though! Here's a few gems:
"Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself."
~Saint Francis de Sales
"How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success."~Elbert Hubbard
"Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy."
~Saadi
"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time."
~Leo Tolstoy
Here. Let's stare at cookies. I hear it helps.
....Or something like that.
How are you with patience?
Oh, and on a completely unrelated but interesting side note, do you ever wonder how other people come up with character names? Curious about people's processes and resources? I asked the Lucky 13s how they came up with their character names, and got some incredible responses. It's definitely a fascinating read. You can find everyone's answers here: The Lucky 13s: Friday Q and A-- Character Names.
photo credit: kern.justin via photopin cc
29 comments:
Oh, the dreaded patience. I happen to be one who has very little patience. I'm working on it. In the meantime, I think I'll take a cookie. :)
Have a great weekend!
I think I'm one of the most patient people out there, but I agree...this publishing world has managed to push me to the edge sometimes. This industry is not for the weak, that's for sure.
Sadly, I'm not a very patient person. I really like those quotes, though, especially the second one. Thanks for the thoughts and the cookies. :)
I struggle with patience, definitely. I'm getting better at it, though, because I'm married to one of the most patient people ever. Still, patience is not one of my virtues.
Love those quotes, especially the first two!
At 45, I -still- struggle with having patience.
On the good side, I'm much better than I used to be,though. I think it's a constant learning process.
Best of luck and have a great weekend!
Patience is like chocolate: everyone could use a little more! :) Hang in their, Peggy!
Patience is not one of my stronger points but I am determined so I do keep trying and rarely give up on something... Isn't that a little like having patience???
I need a cookie....
We can never have enough patience. No matter how much we have, something will demand that we have more.
On my first two books, I had patience. But on my third, my frustration-meter topped out in all phases of the process.
I sure hope you feel better - I think you're doing great! And thanks for the fantastic cookies to stare at! :-)
Right, Patience, how long will that take?
All kidding aside, patience is really hard. I have enough right up until I don't. When I'm running thin, I try to find some way to fill the tanks again.
Good luck, and I hope patience is kind to you.
I've had to learn how to be patient, and I struggle with it still.
Cooookkkkiieeeesss....
Whoever did the frosting on those cookies was very patient.
I've been told that it's best not to ask for patience unless you really want it because you may end up in a position where increased patience would be necessary, thus, gaining you more patience.
Not the way I'd want to add to the patience level, but it has happened that way enough times that I try - and fail - to keep my mouth shut.
Patience is one thing I commend you for having in the first place and I can understand how there may be things putting it to a soldering test right now. The industry is testy like that. But I look forward to reading the fruits of your labor and your patience soon as the time arrives...patiently awaiting.
Ugh, patience is ever elusive for me. I just had a conversation with my husband where I tried to vent my writing frustrations and he said, "You have two choices. Keep going, or quit." That about sums it up. Now I just have to find the strength, and the patience, to keep going :P
I am not patient about writing. But cookies help! :)
Girl, you've got waaaaay more super-human patience than I do!!!
Hi Peggy,
I agree with Angela--don't ask for patience, just keep plugging along. I'm the turtle in the race with all the hares. :-)
Tracy
I'm having the same problem at the moment! Have you seen your cover? PATIENCE before sharing is hard!
This is a perfect post for me right now. I'm all out of patience and feeling frustrated. It's hard and it's not very fun that it never gets easier when you're in this place. I hope things look up for you too!
Grad school forces me to be patient, because it takes so long to get through it (and I'm not even done yet). I've learned to be patient with writing fiction, too, but it's good to know I'm not the only one who finds it difficult to be patient sometimes.
Those cookies look really good. They kind of look like cinnamon rolls, mmmmm...
I think I'm getting better with patience. Either that or it's simply advancing age slowing me down. But I think cookies are a good way to pass the time while attempting to be patient. :)
I need help with patience sometimes too. The cookies do help! ;)
Yummy cookies! I want to eat...NOW! No patience!
I'm not patient at all. One of my downfalls. And being in the writing business doesn't help. It's amazing that I haven't had a mental breakdown yet.
Still waiting on my editor...six months is beyond my breaking point!
I'm right there with you on this whole impatience thing. My favorite quote you shared was by Elbert Hubbard. I'm going to remember that!
Gasp! Peggy the Perfect has been tried in her patience!?! jk. I know you're not perfect. You just happen to be very close to it.
Thank you for the cookies and the quotes - both are welcome. And I could definitely use more patience - mostly with myself...
Some days I'm full of it...some days not so much.
i have patience w/my kids and students, but not much else! i work on it all the time!
but sometimes i wonder, whats the difference between patience and repression?!
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