Thursday, April 17, 2008

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.

9 comments:

Tristi Pinkston said...

That's the best way to wait it out, Nichole. Stay busy. Stay one step ahead. Don't let yourself have long moments between projects, or those moments will seem like forever.

And good luck -- I'm so excited for you! This story is great and deserves to have a good home.

Keith N Fisher said...

woo hooo three cheers. I can't wait to read the rest of it.

Stephanie Black said...

Congratulations, Nichole! Sounds like you have a great manuscript and a great attitude toward waiting. I think waiting to hear back on a manuscript is the most difficult part of being a writer!

Nichole Giles said...

Thanks Tristi, Keith, and Stephanie.

The good news is, as soon as I finish another project with a fast approaching deadline, I have several more ideas that I'm anxious to work on.

Thanks for your support.

Nichole

Dan Olsen said...

Congrats Nichole, just having someone want to read something I wrote would make me estatic.

Good Luck!!

Stephanie Humphreys said...

Good luck. I hope I can add your book to my must read list soon.

Rachelle Christensen said...

Woo woo Nichole! I love the part about putting "requested material" on it! I want to do that someday soon! :)

Nichole Giles said...

Gosh, I'm all a blush at all the well wishes coming in! You people are great support.

Thanks so much Dan (and Wendy), Stephanie, and Rachelle.

As soon as I know anything, especially if it's positive, believe me, you will ALL know about it too.

Nichole

Nichole Giles said...
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