Comments on: Concerning Impatience

By: Joanne Cleary

Joanne Cleary — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:00:00 +0000

There's nothing that drives me madder than waiting. Patience has never been one of my stronger points. Just look at my wild decision to marry someone I had known only 7 weeks!!

Seriously Jackie, I think you are doing really well holding it altogether. I would be a raging alcoholic by now and weigh about 20 stone due to all the chocolate sympathy I had given myself.

You can do it!!

By: Lucy

Lucy — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:41:00 +0000

Ugh, the waiting is agony, isn’t it? Your ‘soon’ is like my ‘a couple of weeks’. I mean, how long is a couple of weeks? 14 days exactly? 21? 40?! This writing biz is a rollercoaster ride…

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:10:00 +0000

Perhaps the M&B submissions’ guidleline page should bear a warning – ‘aiming for publication can seriously damage your emotional health’!

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:34:00 +0000

Of course, Rach! Print away.

I know, waiting is just the pits huh? With any luck it won't take long for their decision and they'll be phoning you for a sale.
And re the bet, you're on. ;-)

BTW, Anna told me that the 'runners-up' chapters (that being you and me now) will be posted possibly next week. So prepare yourself. :-)

By: Rachael Johns

Rachael Johns — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:38:00 +0000

Jackie - you've described the stages of subbing PERFECTLY! Can I copy it and print it for my wall!

I'm trying to forget about my sub with Lucy... but it's REALLY hard!

Bet you'll hear on your revisions before I hear on my full :)

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:04:00 +0000

Aunty Sue, you really made my day with your lovely comment. Thanks so much.

Sorry if my post sounded whingy, don't want to be a moaner. :-) Just goes to show that no matter where you are in this process, you never get rid of the doubts. Even after you're published you wonder if people will buy your next or what the reviews will say. It never stops.

Anyway, I know, it has happened quite quickly for me but although I only subbed last year, I have been writing romances for 25 years. I just never sent them to a publisher - probably a good thing. The last one I wrote had a word count of over 300k!

Yes, you're right, doing something nice is a good idea. I've got the latest Natalie Anderson so I might just read that instead. :-)

And just to add that I'm sure your time will come. All those years spent honing your craft will pay off, I'm sure of it.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:03:00 +0000

Waiting must be hell. I don't think anyone can say much that will make it easier.

But there is one doubt you can take out of the equation: YOUR WRITING IS NOT CRAP (sorry for shouting).

Your blog is funny and entertaining and insightful. There's no reason to suppose that your ms is any different. It's not a question of if, but when your book is published.

Listen to your Aunty Sue - I wouldn't waste my time reading crap.

You've come an incredibly long way in a very short space of time. I can't believe that you only subbed something for the first time last year. If I told you how long ago I first sent anything M&B you'd cry. Oh, okay, I'll tell you - I was 16 and now I'm very old, so you do the maths.

Have faith. YOU WILL BE PUBLISHED. (shouting again - sorry)

And, while you're waiting do something nice. Go shopping. Read a book. Spoil yourself.

:-)