tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post2460835738328862463..comments2024-03-27T01:08:22.690-07:00Comments on Carissa Taylor: The [Query] Waiting GameCarissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10594436685900756259noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-3866626457691394852013-03-08T18:22:37.638-08:002013-03-08T18:22:37.638-08:00I deal with the waiting game by...waiting. That...I deal with the waiting game by...waiting. That's all you can do. But, I try and stay busy with other writing projects, edits, revisions and new writing. Does it help? Well... not really! The waiting is still there, but it does help me concentrate on whats important, and that's my improving my craft!<br /><br />Best wishes with MINNA!Ink in the Bookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03117718811407968345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-1879983875942426812013-03-08T11:33:43.313-08:002013-03-08T11:33:43.313-08:00You're braver than I am. I couldn't face Q...You're braver than I am. I couldn't face Query Letter Hell. Instead, I just bugged all my family and friends, got rejections based on a bad query (maybe, but you never really know), read every good query example I could get hold of and sent our more again. Then I started receiving requests. <br /><br />I got really down after I'd sent out so many flurries and just stopped hearing back. I stopped querying, but I think I might be ready to again. You're right that the waiting is hard, but I'd rather be rejected than wait for months and wonder "has she even read it?"<br /><br />When I try not to think of the query trenches or the inbox, I play games (Madness Returns, Fallout 3, Bioshock 1&2, Second Life), work on my WIP and plan projects for my little art class. My problem isn't so much HOW to distract myself (I'm very good at that), it's distracting myself so long that I become unproductive. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07716190503345068698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-39105682914471814302013-03-08T10:06:05.871-08:002013-03-08T10:06:05.871-08:00HI, Carissa,
Nice to meet you. WAITING IS HELL>...HI, Carissa,<br /><br />Nice to meet you. WAITING IS HELL>.... LOL. But at least there is much interest in your work. You should be THRILLED. My eight queries only let to two rejections and DEAD SILENCE. BUMMER.<br /><br />BUt I keep busy. Re-writes on my first novel. CRAFTING LIKE CRAZY and in a BAKING FRENZY at the moment. ANYTHING to keep my hands busy. Blogging helps to. But so close to the inbox button. WE ALL have this same habit. LOLMichael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-16016752870690810352013-03-07T19:38:01.177-08:002013-03-07T19:38:01.177-08:00Waiting IS so hard! But all those partials and ful...Waiting IS so hard! But all those partials and fulls? That's amazing! Congratulations. <br /><br />How do I handle waiting? Write something new. For sure.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-37042117871863532842013-03-07T05:43:51.840-08:002013-03-07T05:43:51.840-08:00Hi Carissa, nice to meet you. I'm not very goo...Hi Carissa, nice to meet you. I'm not very good at the waiting game either. I, of course, give into it and check my 'inbox' constantly. Ha,ha, ha. BUT, then I try to immerse myself in something else, something to completely take my mind off what I'm waiting for (like that really ever happens) and get on with life. But, I still keep checking, just in case.farawayeyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17578277501054242356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-26849923223930694342013-03-07T00:58:32.247-08:002013-03-07T00:58:32.247-08:00Hi Carissa, nice to meet you. Waiting for agents&#...Hi Carissa, nice to meet you. Waiting for agents' replies is sheer torture. Best way to deal with it is to immerse yourself in a new story or start writing those academic articles.<br /><br />Btw..thanks for the follow.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-61789309855498728672013-03-06T21:44:46.449-08:002013-03-06T21:44:46.449-08:00Write, that's what I do while I wait. I also ...Write, that's what I do while I wait. I also read as much as I can. <br />I waited11 months before I received an offer :-) Doreen McGettiganhttp://www.doreenmcgettigan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-51700866259946301462013-03-06T21:35:35.208-08:002013-03-06T21:35:35.208-08:00Well, this is probably not helpful at all: I bypas...Well, this is probably not helpful at all: I bypass the whole waiting game and self-publish. I'm way too impatient for that stuff. It sounds like your waiting will lead to success, though. Keep faith.<br /><br />Also, it's nice to meet, and now follow, you through the IWSG.<br /><br />Cheers!Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15997241410192066577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-69458110403293994452013-03-06T21:09:57.511-08:002013-03-06T21:09:57.511-08:00oh my goodness, you have so much advice! But this ...oh my goodness, you have so much advice! But this really resonated with me, since it's the place I'm at right now. There have only been two things that have helped. One was diving into a new WIP. That didn't seem like it was helping. But when I actually DOVE into it, and stopped using it as just a distraction, it worked. The second was taking breaks after a few tough query rounds. I took a month or so off, and even though I hated wasting that time...it helped immeasurably.<br /><br />Sounds like you are getting great response rates, though. Very best of luck!<br /><br />-MandyCreative Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02960292977608812418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-24387182248321065712013-03-06T19:41:27.489-08:002013-03-06T19:41:27.489-08:00I started querying my 3rd book last Aug and am sti...I started querying my 3rd book last Aug and am still waiting on 50% of the queries and partial and full requests I sent off. March 1st, I kinda gave up and started querying small publishers. Truthfully, I don't have much hope anymore despite all the great things people have said about it. I wish you better luck than I'm having. :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735576044552810103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-28982423350063346632013-03-06T19:33:13.255-08:002013-03-06T19:33:13.255-08:00I haven't queried yet, but your post gave me f...I haven't queried yet, but your post gave me food for thought. I need to start practicing a little chillaxing right now because its probably a long road ahead. I would guess starting a new project and getting my mind off the wait would be the thing to do when I get there.CE Francieshttp://www.cefrancies.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-9766589269964846902013-03-06T19:21:59.298-08:002013-03-06T19:21:59.298-08:00Whenever the waiting and rejections got tough, I r...Whenever the waiting and rejections got tough, I remembered how many times Stephen King was rejected before he got published. Don't push it, it will drive you mad. Start that disseratation (you came this far to stop now?), find a buddy to push you - do ANYTHING but check your email. Then one day the good news will come and you'll be totally surprised!Nancy Reecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01896098700986000222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-68914369046812547292013-03-06T18:04:35.838-08:002013-03-06T18:04:35.838-08:00Waiting can be tough, but hang in there! A good di...Waiting can be tough, but hang in there! A good distraction is to work on another writing project or take up a side interest. (Now's the time to try out that basket weaving class you've always wanted to check out!) I think it's great you've come so far...someday I'd like to have a finished MS I can query. Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00912167351889969855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-2936558045913110922013-03-06T17:19:27.236-08:002013-03-06T17:19:27.236-08:00It is hard to wait for feedback from queries, part...It is hard to wait for feedback from queries, partials, and fulls. I think the best remedy is to force yourself to write one paragraph on your dissertation, for you have fueled so much of yourself into that goal as well.<br /><br />Working on a rough outline of a new book is always good, too. It is always a good thing to have a second book in the works (not necessarily a sequel) should an agent or publisher asks if you are writing one (they want to know you are more than a one hit wonder.) <br /><br />Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting so insightfully. RolandRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-16584072421411676792013-03-06T14:52:52.805-08:002013-03-06T14:52:52.805-08:00I guess it's just part of the process. I could...I guess it's just part of the process. I could never deal with this waiting game, so I plan to self-publish. I won't have this aggravation, but if you can handle it, then great! I guess you need to develop extreme patience and do things to take your mind off your inbox until you hear back from everyone. <br /><br />The other piece of advice I've heard is to start writing your next book. :)Cathy Keatonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18356112948372149785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-78094010333074847112013-03-06T13:44:15.069-08:002013-03-06T13:44:15.069-08:00I'm writing short fiction, so my wait times ca...I'm writing short fiction, so my wait times can vary drastically from market to market, but I've found that the only way to keep from counting down the days and waning in misery is to stay busy. Jump right into the next project and get lost in it. Before you know it, that time will have passed and the arrival in your inbox will be a pleasant surprise.<br /><br />Hang in there, and good luck!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.authoralden.com" rel="nofollow">J.W.</a>AuthorAldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905712756325750291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-39600527815233341152013-03-06T12:42:56.109-08:002013-03-06T12:42:56.109-08:00I've been doing this a very long time, Carissa...I've been doing this a very long time, Carissa, and the truth is to forget you're waiting. Dismiss the thought from your brain. When it creeps back in, say something sweet to yourself, like... "I'm so glad to be alive. What glorious day." Then return to whatever you were doing at that precise moment and voila, you're no longer waiting. <br /><br />Trust me. I know from where I speaketh. Happy IWSG!Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-56602091122601587772013-03-06T12:21:34.266-08:002013-03-06T12:21:34.266-08:00I'm terrible at waiting for anything but, oddl...I'm terrible at waiting for anything but, oddly enough, once I've given up all hope of getting any kind of response, that's when it arrives. Great advice from others about working on something else if you can. Will keep my fingers crossed for you. :-)Kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12451009382871015780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-46059539664172326892013-03-06T11:15:10.892-08:002013-03-06T11:15:10.892-08:00I suck at the waiting game. Right now I don't ...I suck at the waiting game. Right now I don't have anything ready to go, but I think part of that dragging my feet is so I don't have to deal with the publication tango right now. Emily Gentherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04720127792394245223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-77911866312111093872013-03-06T10:24:39.378-08:002013-03-06T10:24:39.378-08:00I haven't been querying for awhile, though I d...I haven't been querying for awhile, though I don't remember stressing out too badly when I was. It was just another thing to wait for. It's important to do other things in the interim, like editing and revising other books, writing something new, or planning a sequel.Carrie-Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05810154378449825641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-38262387802528063872013-03-06T09:51:37.009-08:002013-03-06T09:51:37.009-08:00The waiting game is SO hard-and a constant part of...The waiting game is SO hard-and a constant part of a writer's life. Once you sign with an agent you wait on submissions too. The best advise I've ever had is to work on a new project. Still it's not easy when the little voice of self-doubt enters the scene. You can do it! You are a writer!Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09462486350293703991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-85163448172463891902013-03-06T09:49:44.033-08:002013-03-06T09:49:44.033-08:00I have to say my resolve to deal with the waiting ...I have to say my resolve to deal with the waiting dwindled after about six months of querying. It seemed much longer! and I was surprised when I later figured out it was only about six months. I did go the self-publishing route, which I'm pleased with. <br /><br />Waiting is something I'm learning to have more humility about. It's a continual lesson, it seems, and one I have to relearn every now and then.Chancelethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12880082145266359126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-80144785494798702542013-03-06T08:37:54.716-08:002013-03-06T08:37:54.716-08:00It sounds to me like you're on the right track...It sounds to me like you're on the right track. Being patient can be tough, but in the end I'm sure the wait will be worth while. In the meantime, write something new. Best of luck!Jess Schirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04930756756945812094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-90683249284067320352013-03-06T08:07:49.823-08:002013-03-06T08:07:49.823-08:00I hope one day to be able to empathize with you, b...I hope one day to be able to empathize with you, but for now I can only sympathize. Waiting on responses from others is no doubt tons more difficult than waiting on one's self to 'be ready' to submit.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8124587072441332479.post-32871620958411464482013-03-06T06:23:34.603-08:002013-03-06T06:23:34.603-08:00Definitely focus on your other work to be done. P...Definitely focus on your other work to be done. Partials and fulls can take forever to hear back on (and actually I have some I never heard back on even after status update requests and such). It will make you crazy if you let it. Get busy living... it makes the waiting much easier. Good luck!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04225611074151575663noreply@blogger.com