Writing. It’s a business where you fall in love with something with all your heart and have to try to find that one other person who feels the same way. The dream editor.
Good luck, you say.
If that’s not enough to make one batty, we have those long stretches of silence when, after having crafted a query letter, synopsis and bio, after having sent everything out the writer just waits. And waits. And waits.
But such is our business. At the moment, I have a short story and a novel out to editors. One editor is working on a timeline, she promised to get back to me in three months. The short story, however, is just out there in the ether, the sole evidence of it having departed being in the Sent folder of my email.
I understand editors are busy and they too have their own insecurities in placing the right story for their beloved readers, in answering to their own bosses, and perhaps advertisers.
And so I wait.
Of course I fill my time with writing and reading, but there is always that one question in the back of a writer’s mind: will they love the one thing I fell in love with as much as I do?
Silvia Writes 
The waiting is always so tough. But your smart to keep writing while you wait. Good luck, Silvia!
Thanks, Linda. Gotta be patient.
I do not look forward to that waiting game… I do not…
Sending out good thoughts!
It comes with the job description, doesn’t it? Thanks so much.
I agree, waiting is without doubt the hardest part of the publishing process. I won’t tell you all my horror stories, but do keep writing. That’s the perfect way to handle the passing hours, days, weeks, months… years(!).
VR Barkowski
Waiting and waiting and waiting is no fun, Silvia. I sympathize. You will prevail!
Will do, Denise. Thank you.
I hope you will shortly receive positive responses for both your short story and your novel. And, I also think it wise to keep sending it out to other editors while waiting. And of course, to keep writing. Persistence and patience are two qualities a writer needs.
Carol, I’ve found that sending stuff our often really helps. Thank you.
Good luck! The important thing is you had the courage to put your stuff out there. Be proud of yourself!
Fondly,
Elizabeth
Appreciate it, Elizabeth. Gets easier with time.
Ooh, that’s tough. Different people love different things for different reasons. I suppose there may be someone out there, your soulmate editor. But then, even my soulmate husband doesn’t always see things the same way as me. They might love it, but for a different reason. :)
Loni
I’m with you, Loni. My soulmate husband is my toughest critic. Thank you for reading and the comment.
Keep on charging forward. You can do it! I just sold three of my short stories… it is simply the matter of finding the right soul mate. Sometimes it takes time. My stories that I just sold are about five or six years old… seeeeee… it takes a LONG time… sometimes! You will do fine!.
Gwynn, congrats! How awesome that you sold your stories. Not surprised one bit, you write well.
I’m with you Silvia. I’ve been waiting to hear from a particular publisher and an agent for months and months. Waiting is one of the hardest parts of what we do. It can take you on a roller coaster. I really hope you get a green light for publishing your work soon so the waiting will be over. (IWSG)
Thank you Stephanie. And I hope you get a green light, too.
I am sending good vibes your way, and I have every faith you will eventually achieve your success. The world of publishing is completely unknown to me, but I do think it’s going through such drastic changes that even the longtime industry experts don’t know where it will end up. Where the market is for commercially successful publications is quite murky (I hate to think our only source of worthy reads us Oprah.)
Aspiring novelists and short story authors are caught right now between the “exclusive” difficult to penetrate publishing houses of yesteryear and whatever shakes out in the paper and electronic financially rewarding future.
Keep the faith. You are a highly competent writer; it’s just a matter of hanging in there until the industry sorts itself out.
PS I’m dying to know what your short story is about :-) hugs!!
Sammy, such thoughtful words. I thank you. The short story in question is set in Romania, and it’s one of loss and finding love again, or at least a glimmer of hope — the precarious grip on existence when all is destroyed.
Gosh, I just read one of the other comments that said her short stories finally got published after six years!! It’s a wonder we have such writing talent persevere for so long. I suppose it’s not unlike those dedicated ballerinas who destroy their feet for the love of dancing.
But to not hear anything! That just seems so cruel. Do keep your faith and keep writing. I love your eloquence and maturity as a person and in your writing.
I’m my own (content) editor, but I do hear from traditionally published folks that it’s wonderful when you find someone who *gets* your story.
Good luck. Waiting is no fun.
IWSG #184 until Alex culls the list again.
Yeah, it’s nice when they do, but that doesn’t happen often. Thanks, Melissa.
Eventually you’ll find your audience. (I say this because I hope to eventually find mine.) So, what are you writing while you’re waiting to hear?
Liz, I’m writing another short now — still in the beginning stages. I hear you about that ever-elusive audience. :) Thanks.
Oh, I hope they do! You might need some wild and crazy distractions to get you through the waiting, though!
I have an interest in starting to work as an editor. I’ve done some freebie work with the hope of getting some word of mouth started. I’ve always enjoyed reading and analyzing, and I’d like one day to perhaps get into a line of work that isn’t as punitive as nursing to a body that seems to develop new aches and pains by the day.
My burnt offering for this month is here.
Thank you for your insightful post. I’m currently in the waiting process as well. I’ve sent a novel submission to a major publisher, and I’m waiting to hear a yay or nay. It’s both exciting and frightening, but as so many people have told me: Be bold and keep writing. With so many great writers to interact with, I feel I will one day float up to join you all in the clouds.
Very nice, post, Sylvia. I am waiting, too. But I like to remember what my mother always said about love: There are lots of pebbles on the beach (you can fall in love with). Just keep looking…
And much good luck to you!
Good luck, Silvia. At least you are one step ahead of those of us who haven’t gotten out babies out the door yet. :-)
Being on submission is tough, and like Fight Club, you’re not supposed to talk about it. The worst part about waiting for me is that you can’t dabble with the manuscript any more. At least when I was querying, I kept trying to polish my manuscript while I waited for requests. Once an agent sends it out, however, that’s it. No taking it back because you want to tweak the opener a little more. Waiting is dang hard.
I understand completely, especially when what your writing is something that could be controversial.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to
say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
I tend not to leave a leave a response, however I browsed a few
of the responses here IWSG: Falling in Love | Silvia Writes.
I actually do have 2 questions for you if you don’t
mind. Could it be only me or does it look like some of the responses appear as if they are
written by brain dead people? :-P And, if you are writing at additional social sites, I’d like to keep up with
anything fresh you have to post. Would you make a list of every one of all your social pages
like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?