Writerly Advice: Keeping Busy While In The Query Trenches

Hello Readers!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today 🙂

Today’s post finds me at a time where I am waiting to hear back on some important information.  So I thought I might share some of my diversions which are helping me deal with the wait.  Since you are most likely a writerly type, this will pertain to you, and you will most likely be able to relate.  But many of us wear multiple hats, and some of this might ring true to other areas of your lives as well.  I know it does for me.

Diversion #1:  New Manuscript.

once upon a time

As many of you are aware, I recently started a new manuscript.  I know, I know.  I broke my policy of finishing my fall NaNoWriMo project by the end of the summer (see my Summer Bucket List post for proof).  But this new manuscript couldn’t wait.  I swear.  So in the back of my head, I feel a little bit of guilt about shelving my 2015 NaNo, but it’s okay.  No Biggie.

I mention the new manuscript because working on it has kept me busy.  Really busy.  It’s not keeping me completely sidetracked while I wait, but seriously, it’s helping.  And I actually love the fact that I had to let my NaNo sit a little bit, because when my mind feels like the new manuscript has to gel some, I can switch gears back to it.  Which is good, but sometimes I feel a little bit like this:

stressed with post its

Except unlike this picture, my sticky notes have things written on them; things that occasionally help me keep ideas organized, but not always.

Diversion #2:  This Blog.

There is nothing more gratifying to me as a writer, than connecting with other writerly types.  This past couple of years, I have spent time with authors, poets, screenwriters, and industry professionals all right here on this blog.   Waiting to hear back as a writer can be tough.  When my mind starts to think the worst, I try to take the bull by the horns and learn something new or share something useful.

Blogs are great for that.  Through them, you can pose questions, share helpful information, interview other writers, etc.  All of these things aren’t going to make the time go any faster, but they might make the time more pleasurable, and divert your attention somewhat.

Diversion #3:  Read something new.  And review it.

This isn’t rocket science.  We like to read.  It’s what we do.  It’s what we hope to give our own readers.  By taking the time to read the works of others, we help to pay it forward.  By reviewing the books, perhaps on your blog, you can get a conversation started, thereby helping to pass the time as well.

Diversion #4:  Plan a trip.

journal coins, map

You don’t actually have to take the trip, mind you, but I sometimes got to a travel site and make plans, down to what excursions I’ll take once there.  On my “To-Visit” list is The Pacific Northwest, South Dakota, Iceland, Scandinavia, and Austria.  There are plenty of other places I’d love to see, but these are just what I have been thinking about as new stories and world’s swirl around in my head.

Hopefully this helps.   And as an added bonus, writing this post tonight has helped divert my attention from the waiting game for about an hour or so!  To that end, I’m going to get myself a couple of Oreo’s and get back to Diversion #1:  my new manuscript.

Happy writing and waiting, everyone!

8 comments on “Writerly Advice: Keeping Busy While In The Query Trenches

  1. KellyZ says:

    I’ve never done NaNoWriMo! I always have some excuse why November is a terrible month that year. Have you done it more than once? How much planning do you do ahead of time?

    Liked by 1 person

    • smnystoriak says:

      Hi Kelly, And thanks for commenting! NaNoWriMo is always at a super busy time, at least for me. What I love about it is that I commit to the goal, and push through. I have done NaNoWriMo for the past four years. I do spend time in October planning my attack, so to speak, by outlining and doing some research. But once November hits, it’s write, write, write! One thing that helps me get through the NaNo month is the online community. It’s a great way to meet writers, and reconnect with others. If nothing else, NaNoWriMo is a great exercise in pushing hard toward a goal, even if you don’t make the 50K.

      Do you think you might try it this year?

      Liked by 1 person

      • KellyZ says:

        I “think I might try it” every year 🙂 But this year! This is the year. I think with a little more planning in advance I’d set myself up better. Thanks for the insight!

        Liked by 1 person

      • smnystoriak says:

        Awesome! The key for me is the October planning. Map out the whole thing, chapter by chapter if you can. Then all you have to do is write the story (easier said than done, right???) I use Scrivener to map it out. Their corkboard feature, specifically. Good luck!

        Like

      • KellyZ says:

        Oooo very cool. Thank you for the tips 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. joylennick says:

    I could say that you’re a typical writer SM, but then what is a typical writer?! We scribblers have so many similarities dancing in our jeans (graphic picture!) as well as loads of differences, which is just as well, otherwise we’d be churning out the same sort of stuff! Your comments are always interesting and welcome. My problem is doing too many things at once and getting sidetracked…Write on…

    Liked by 1 person

    • smnystoriak says:

      Thank you, Joy! And yes, I look like the image if the dancing jeans! It’s so easy to get sidetracked. But I’d rather that than be idle. That’s when my mind gets to over thinking things!

      I always enjoy your comments as well. Keep em coming 😊

      Like

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