Playing the Waiting Game by Gerri Brousseau

As many of you may recall from my blog post, “An Unexpected Visitor” (http://wp.me/prBca-1T2) in January regarding the doubt monster, I had recently submitted queries to several publishers.  Since that time, I have received an email asking for my full manuscript for consideration to one of these publishers.  Their email said they enjoyed reading the first three chapters which they required as an attachment with the query, and asked for a full submission.  Needless to say, I was excited and sent them the requested materials that day.  I then received an email from them telling me they received my materials, and that I would be hearing from them in approximately four weeks.  If you are a writer, you know just because someone expressed some interest and asked for your complete manuscript, it does not mean they will offer a contract.  I’m thrilled to have my work being considered for publication, but now my stomach is in knots as the waiting game begins.

Have you ever been in this position?  If not, let me tell you that the butterflies in my stomach feel as if they are moving as fast as humming birds.  I have read that the best thing to do is to begin a new work while waiting to hear back from editors, agents or publishers.  This is easier said than done.  The nervous energy makes it nearly impossible for me to keep my butt in the chair.  When I do manage to force myself to sit before the computer, my fingers seem to tremble over the keys, and I find I’m tapping my foot or giggling my leg.

In an attempt to get my mind off the submission, I decided to take the pugs for a walk.  Did that work … are you kidding me?  I decided to read and have read two novels in the span of one week! That was a temporary fix.

Ok, one week has passed and I’m starting to calm down – sort of.  My fingernails are bitten to the nubs, the butterflies have taken up residence in my stomach, are now the size of Monarchs, and seem to be dancing and Irish Jig.  I can just about sit long enough to get this blog written, but begin a new work … not likely as yet, and I’m still giggling my leg.

Have you ever played the waiting game and if you have, how did you handle it? What did you do to get the butterflies in your stomach to fly in formation so you could actually move forward with your next work?