What do I find most frustrating about my writing career? Not much, really. Sure, I have to balance chores and responsibilities with my desire to fully focus on my art, but in reality I can only work for so many hours a day writing before mental fatigue forces me to quit anyway, so as long as I schedule things appropriately, I rarely miss out on my desired writing time. Of course, someone else “messing” with my schedule (unexpected visits, etc.) can be frustrating, but I realize these are minor inconveniences compared to what a lot of other writers/artists have to contend with—so I don’t really count that either.
I suppose the only thing that really frustrates me is waiting so long to hear back on a submission. I sent some poems to a magazine in January, for example, and I still have to wait until June (at least) to know whether or not they liked them! Of course, I no longer rush down to the mailbox every day, as I used to do years ago; I just move on to the next project . . .
6 comments:
Mark, I love that cartoon of someone anxiously awaiting something in the mailbox! Nowadays most of the "good" news comes through email or a phone call--at least that's my experience. Only the rejections seem to come by snail mail. Wishing you luck with your latest submission!
Mark, what a healthy attitude you have toward your writing time balanced with life. The waiting never stops, even when the submissions are accepted~ then there is the waiting for the editor, the designer, and the final product. It seems to be part of the deal of being a writer. You have the right idea: move on to the next project.
Waiting was my theme too, and I can learn from your upbeat outlook.
I didn't realize that you write poetry too. I hope you'll share some poems sometime.
Great cartoon!
Edie, Lauren, and Christy: thanks for the kind words and encouragement. Every little bit helps!! And Christy, if Ladybug takes any of my poems I'll be sure to pass along the good news. It's funny how subjective art can be; when I had my first haiku published, 20 years ago, I had included it in a submission as "filler," thinking the other two poems were much better. Lo and behold, the others were rejected, so I sure am glad I included the "lame" one!!
I, too, get tired of the waiting game. I've had to wait literally years to hear back from an editor on some of my stories...and these are editors with whom I had already published books!
Yes, you do have the right attitude, Mark: move on to the next project. We may not have control over what editors do, but we can control how we respond.
I think it's only a matter of time before you get big good news, but I doubt it will come in the mailbox;)
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