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My hopefully non-reductive thread about writing and patience:
I truly feel like patience is the best virtue a writer can have. It starts at the ground level—during the planning of a new project. Give yourself space & time to brainstorm, daydream, & cultivate a book baby. 1/6
I truly feel like patience is the best virtue a writer can have. It starts at the ground level—during the planning of a new project. Give yourself space & time to brainstorm, daydream, & cultivate a book baby. 1/6
The drafting phase is easy for some, hard for others. It’s hard for me. I’m slow. When I see others racing past me to the finish line, I get a little anxious. But then I remember to have patience with my methodology. It’s not a race. 2/6
Revisions are tough. Especially the second draft, where you sometimes have to cut words, add words, or restructure. Have patience in the process. Don’t rush. I find it easiest to attack revisions in stages, but you do what works for you. 3/6
Have patience with critique. Give yourself time to digest feedback before reacting. Look for patterns in feedback from critique partners + betas. Learn to tell the difference between subjective feedback vs craft-driven feedback. Apply the advice that resonates with you. 4/6
When it’s time for querying, your patience will again come into play. You’ll do a lot of waiting in the trenches. Especially now, with the state of the world we’re in. Don’t rush the process—or agents. It might help to get started on your next project while you wait. 5/6
Finally, there’s a certain peace with reconciling yourself to the fact that a book might not be “the one” —at least for right now. Have the patience and resilience to continue writing. To grow. There are so many good things that happen in the process of becoming. Keep going. 6/6
