Ethnobotanist and mystic Terence McKenna on courage:
"Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. This is the trick. This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering it's a feather bed."
Source: Unfolding the Stone (edited lightly for clarity) (From James Clear’s 3-2-1 Newsletter)
The Waiting Game
I have great news to share with you! I have successfully completed my Picture Book Dummy, written and illustrated by yours truly, and started the querying process!
That’s right, I did it! I am proud of myself because I wholeheartedly believe this Picture Book is my best work yet.
But…
BUT…
BUT!!!!!!
Now I have to wait… I’ll go for a walk, and wait some more. What’s in the fridge? My car is dirty and my wife’s car needs gas. Okay, I’m back. It’s been a whole 2 hours, now let me check my email. Nothing? Oh wait… I got something! Nope, it’s just an automated email from Query Manager, “Thank you for your submission, your query was successfully submitted to _______ .”
Well, at last that was a success, right?
Why is this part so hard? I mean, some people walk up to an interview and get the job right away. Am I right?
Unfortunately, much of the Artist’s life is about “Patience”. Perhaps with the exception of a few incredibly talented artists (not me, definitely - not me), they can get book deals while walking down a busy NY Street and accidentally dropping their sketchbook when a friendly woman picks up the book and says, “Oh my God! These are incredible! I’m an Editor at Big House Publishers, how does a 5 book deal sound?”
Wouldn’t that be something?
But nope, I am just trying really hard like the majority in sending my work and waiting; waiting some more, and waiting, waiting even more.
What Should I Do While Waiting?
Firstly, we should discuss what you shouldn’t do!
Don’t check your email 1,000,000 times a day. Seriously…
Don’t send follow-up emails. Unlike common practice in the Corporate World, a “friendly” follow-up is -not- appreciated. Don’t do it…
Don’t query another Agent at the same Agency while you wait. Picture this, you’re on Twitter and your favorite Literary Agent says, “I’m open to Queries for 24hrs!” You’re like, dammit! I already sent to another agent because you were closed! Well now, too bad. You did what you did, now you have to wait. Once you receive a response, then you can possible query your dream agent; however, it’s likely too late…
Now that we covered things you shouldn’t do while waiting, let’s go over some helpful things you can do.
Start your next book! Remember all those amazing ideas you had to sneak away into your journal because you weren’t finished with the one you were working on? That’s right, let’s revisit those crazy ideas.
Play in your Sketchbook. I love drawing in my sketchbook. In fact, I love drawing in my sketchbook more than using my iPad and Procreate. It’s not that I don’t love Procreate, it’s just the freedom of drawing on paper and the wonderful sounds the graphite makes on the paper. I tried Paperlike on my iPad, it’s just not the same (no offense, Paperlike).
Take a class, read a book, listen to podcasts. Find ways on getting better and filling your creative bucket.
Give time back to your family! You know you’ve been a hermit as you tirelessly worked on your Picture Book Dummy! You’ve been fortunate to have an understanding and patient family; however, it’s time for you to pay it back. Spend as much time as you can with your family, go to the park, the Zoo, the basket ball court. Heck, I’m even giving you permission to play video games with your kids! Keep your phone away, keep your sketchbook away, and just be with your family.
Closing Thoughts
I’m happy to report that I haven’t checked my email once while writing this article. I can’t promise that I won’t check it later today, but I can say it will be in a batch time rather than compulsively.
We all hear that Patience is a Virtue. I believe there’s quite a bit of merit to that. So, while I wait to hear back on what the Publishers and Agents think about my Picture Book Dummy (which is hopefully something like, “Oh My God! This is amazing! Where has this book been on my life!?”) I will just keep waiting…
Thanks for reading JUST ONE THING! Please share with any friends you feel might enjoy my writing and artwork, or perhaps with someone you know who is struggling with being patient.
This is incredibly helpful, and great timing! I'm planning to start submitting to agents this month.