It Takes Time
When I first started writing, I did a lot of research. One of the things I began to notice was how long it took for authors to get published. The average, if I remember right, was 3-5 years from the point of starting to the point of contract.
The numbers boggled me.
Could I write for that long? With no guarantee?
Of course, I could. It helped to think of the first few years as college. Still, I was overwhelmed by the thought of how long it took so I decided to stop thinking about it and just write, query, etc.
About a year ago, I suddenly realized I'd been writing for three years. Somehow the time had flown by.
How?
Well, the best thing about publishing is that while there's a wait, there's also always things changing. For example, after I finished my first manuscript it took time to write the query. Then time to figure out who to send it to. And then I started a new story as I waited for responses. Between all that was editing and critiquing and contests.
Basically, I've been writing, editing and submitting for four years now. Time slipped by and I didn't even know it. Now I'm moving toward the five year mark and I have to wonder, will this be it?
How do you feel about the wait? How long have you been writing?
The numbers boggled me.
Could I write for that long? With no guarantee?
Of course, I could. It helped to think of the first few years as college. Still, I was overwhelmed by the thought of how long it took so I decided to stop thinking about it and just write, query, etc.
About a year ago, I suddenly realized I'd been writing for three years. Somehow the time had flown by.
How?
Well, the best thing about publishing is that while there's a wait, there's also always things changing. For example, after I finished my first manuscript it took time to write the query. Then time to figure out who to send it to. And then I started a new story as I waited for responses. Between all that was editing and critiquing and contests.
Basically, I've been writing, editing and submitting for four years now. Time slipped by and I didn't even know it. Now I'm moving toward the five year mark and I have to wonder, will this be it?
How do you feel about the wait? How long have you been writing?
Comments
~ Wendy
I know I'm in this for the long haul.
Now I'm querying my MG adventure. It is a draggy long process.
My crit partner, Beth, wrote for ten years before getting her agent. Her debut was #seven on the New York Times Best Seller list. So I guess things happen for a reason. God knows when the time will be right for me. I hope it's now or in the next few months. I WANT TO BE PUBLISHED. :-)
Great post woman!
Thirty years. Poems, short articles, devotions, longer articles, stories, columns, and now books. It took me 27 of those before I had the courage to write and pitch a book. So, I guess you could say only three, if that makes you feel better.
BTW, congrats on your double semi-final in Genesis!! Woo-hoo and praise God!!! You inspire me.
I'm praying this is the year for you, Jessica!
Thank you, Eileen! You've put alot of time and study into writing. It will pay off for you, I'm sure of it. :-)
LOL Jeanette, yes, that does make me feel better. :-) And thank you for the congrats. *blushing*
Wow, Robyn, what a story about your critter! That is awesome!!! And for you, well, it could be any day. You never know what's waiting around the corner. :-)
Wendy, good point. Sometimes publication takes awhile because though we may be writing, we're not submitting. You've had some great opportunities and I don't think it'll be long for someone to grab your work and pub it!
My debut, A Bitch Named Karma, was started in November of 2006 and the contract came in May of 2009, publication June 2010.
Though if we're counting the true first fiction I wrote, that was ninth grade...and so far in the past as to be prehistoric.
Congrats on your DOUBLE semi-final success!
Laila, I know how tough querying is. Keep going and keep learning. I'm glad the writing flows for you though. That's always a plus!
Linda, that's such a great attitude to have! I hope I'll remain thankful too, no matter what happens.
Wow, Erica! So you fit right into the averages, except now you're selling stories right and left!!! LOL And yeah, if I went back to my first "book", it was in seventh grade.
Tana, I need some tips on how to summon my inner teen. She went missing a long time ago. :-)
Hope your good news comes soon!
Great post.
Some days it's excruciating; others, I just block out everything but the writing. Those are the good days.
But either way, as long as I never stop writing, every day brings me that much closer to selling a shiny new book. ;)
I started out as a non-fiction writer many years ago, but didn't seek publication until 2004. I've had a number of devotionals and articles published.
My fiction journey began in late 2005, was interrupted by my husband's illness for 14 months, and continues to this day.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I've been writing nearly three years. My first story is done and I'm about to start on #2, but I'm sort of stuck at the querying stage. It seems easier to write a book than actually send it off! ;)
Congratulations on semi-finaling in the Genesis, by the way. I saw your name on there, twice! :)Awesome! Great job. I love reading about your writing journey and seeing the doors opening for you. Congrats!
God Bless,
Kerry
Will this be it?
I don't know, but I'm making peace with that! I do know I love writing more and more each year, so time has been good to me.
Happy weekend,
Karen
Sarah, you make a good distinction! I probably should've said writing toward publication, since most writers started scribbling at a young age. :-)
Hahaha! Welcome to reality, Jennifer. *grin*
Ahem, Anita....*grin* I'll let you figure out my ahem. In the meantime, why's 7 years depressing? You've had some emotional highs and lows but it was never static. You've got a lot of action, girl, now we've just gotta hope the action propels you toward US publication. :-)
LOL CandidKerry, I think you're right about querying. Thanks so much for the congrats and for popping by! :-)
Ivana, that's a wonderful way to put it. And the journey never ends, from what I hear from pubbed authors, so we may as well enjoy the scenery along the way, right?
Happy weekend to you too, Karen!
Deutschland liebt Morpheus! Woohoo!
Thanks for the -- ahem -- gentle reminder. ;)
blog hop!I hope you visit me and
return the follow:0)
I'm new to your blog, but I've seen you on so many blogs I follow, so I thought I would come say hi!
Great post. It's been two years of taking writing seriously...but I've been scratching things down for since i was able to hold a pencil:)
-Mel
Toyin, you said it! I totally agree. Thank you for commenting.
Lauren, you're so right about life. *sigh* I can't believe it's already April!
Hi Tanya, thanks for stopping by.
Hey Soccer Club, I hope it is too. :-) For me and for you!
Thanks Nancy! YOu have a great attitude too. :-)
Thanks mom. :-) I double semifinaled in a contest (two entries semifinaled. One you've read, one you haven't.)