Waiting

By Nichole Giles

Do you remember the story I’ve been talking about on and off for the past two years? The one about my grandfather who was kidnapped? Well, I finished it. Not only did I finish it, but I entered the first chapter in a contest. It took first place.

Then an editor asked to see my winning first chapter, and when she got it, she wrote me back and asked for the rest of the book—which I had been editing like a mad woman, just in case.

It’s a good thing I’d spent the better part of the last three weeks finishing the last of the editing on that book, too, because when she asked for the rest, it was expected soon. So, this past Monday, I printed, packaged, and took a trip to the post office where I sent my manuscript priority mail—and labeled “requested material.”

Now I wait.

While I wait I have two choices. I can either sit around biting my nails and staring endlessly at my phone, email, and mailbox waiting for a response. Or, I can get right to work on another project, that is equally important and every bit as crucial as the one I just finished. I choose the second option.

Life’s way too short to sit around waiting for an acceptance that may or may not come. And let’s face it. The response may very well be rejection. Though it will hurt (this one will hurt especially badly, since this particular story is so important to me) I already have a plan for what to do next. On to the next publisher, on to the next project, on and on and on until I write that story and find that publisher that will give me the break I’ve been waiting for.

And then…I’ll write some more.