Writing & Waiting . . . Waiting & Writing

I usually don’t think of myself as being a patient person.  In some regards, I totally am.  Believe it or not, when given a gift, I can let it sit for days if need be before opening.  I’m curious as to the contents of course but don’t have the frenzied need to rip open the paper the minute it’s placed in my hands.

When I’m waiting for something to happen though, that’s a totally different story.  I expect things to happen much sooner rather than later.  If I’m looking for an e-mail, expecting a phone call or waiting for someone, I think the wait should be short.  I know there are things that can happen to delay an anticipated event but hopefully, those delays should be few and far between.  I am especially impatient when waiting on something particularly important.

Currently, that something important is waiting to hear from a publishing house about a book I’ve submitted.  I know authors are always anxious to hear about a submission but I guess I feel this one more keenly because it’s my first book.  Before a few weeks ago, I could only imagine what a tremendous thrill it would be to actually finish a book but . . . I did it.  I’d worked years, off and on, gathering information, writing, editing, reading and re-reading and when it was time to actually hit “Send” it was harder to do than I thought it would be.  Actually, it was quite an emotional moment but oh, how happy it made me!

The remarkable sense of accomplishment was one I’ll never feel again.  I’ll accomplish many more projects to be sure but none will be quite the same as completing my first book.  I laid off writing for a couple of weeks after my submission to enjoy the feeling for awhile longer but it’s time to get back to work.  I have another book in progress on the fire service which is one I’ve been working on for even longer than my Regency holidays book.  It’s very near and dear to my heart having a brother and a nephew in the fire service.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to convey the story and evoke the feelings I’m hoping to stir in the readers.  I have such admiration and respect for the firefighters who work so diligently, quietly serving and helping citizens in every town.

Writing is work – actually very hard work – but worth every minute spent toiling over the right word or phrase to tell a story that successfully conveys a portion of the magnitude of human drama we call life.

Until next time. . .

Happy Holidays!