I recently relocated a beloved piece of art from one area of my home to a different and more prime location: my Zoom backdrop.
I love the brushwork of the golden calligraphy. The main framed Chinese character means “patience.” Ironically, this trait is what I’ve lately needed in my life.
As I reflect on my own writing journey and author’s life, I realize I’ve had to wait and endure. Take these examples:
A binder filled with rejections
I started sending off my poorly written first manuscript to agents about twelve years ago. Instead of receiving shiny acceptances like I’d envisioned, I ended up filling a binder with rejection letters and self-addressed stamped envelopes (remember those?).
The slow-moving process of publication:
Originally, both the Midnight Hour crime fiction anthology that I’m a part of and my next Sassy Cat Mystery were scheduled to release on the same day. However, Mimi Lee Cracks the Code eventually got pushed back (by a few weeks) to November 30, 2021 for its new publication date.
The dreaded editorial letter:
As some of you may know, I’m working on a new culinary cozy series set in Los Angeles called the Night Market Mysteries, which will tentatively (see above) release in June 2022. I turned in my draft to my editor and have been biting my nails, worried about whether she’ll like it (or not). No cover yet for the first book in the series, but here’s a title reveal: Death by Bubble Tea.
The growth of an idea seed:
I keep a notebook filled with potential ideas. Usually, I’m inspired by interesting themes, unique premises, or fully-fleshed characters. One recent idea that popped up in my brain was only a teeny seed, though. I’m waiting for it to germinate and really present itself to me while I read craft books on story structure and admire other writers’ new books. I like having ideas flourish in their own time, but it’s taken a lot of patience for me to wait and let it grow.
Seeing a visual reminder of patience in my home has grounded me through literary, as well as personal, ups and downs. In fact, the bottommost line of the artwork (thanks to my dad for translating) says, “Be patient a hundred times, you will never have worries!” I’m still taking its wisdom to heart.
What things have you had to endure or be patient about?
Chicks on the Case 
I have to be patient with myself. I’m a medical wonder! That takes patience and a thick skin too. I’m growing. I hope I never stop growing. Just not width wise! 😁😬😆
LikeLiked by 4 people
Self-patience (that’s a word, right?). So tough. Keep on growing, Tracy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want to advance read through NetGalley and Edelweiss but both keep turning me down as I am not a professional reviewer or do not have enough experience. I can’t get experience without access to the books!!
I love your artwork and I can imagine it makes a gorgeous backdrop. That character is one of my favorites, it is “unconnected” in it’s design and that is part of patience to me, waiting for the pieces to come together.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hang in there with the early reads! I feel like it’s hit and miss getting accepted.
Thanks about the artwork! Ooh, that idea of “unconnected” is very profound and resonates with me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a beautiful post, Jen. And that artwork is exquisite.
Patience. What a virtue. One that doesn’t run in my family. Right now, I’m working on being patient awaiting notes from a new editor as weeks go by, eating up time I need to write the next ms. And patience for the countdown to when I leave in two weeks to see my daughter and be in my beloved NOLA – patience with a bunch o’ nerves, considering the Delta variant.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I feel ya about the Delta Variant. I’m still praying a convo in Dallas in October still remains on. I NEED a change of scenery, it will be my first flight, and I’ll be spending time with a beloved author. Please send great Juju my way, as I send it in return to you, El.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hope it happens, Tracy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, El. Hugs to you. Waiting is difficult. (My editor and yours must be synchronizing their efforts.)
Stay safe in NOLA–but I’m glad you get to visit your daughter!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is a stunning piece of artwork, Jen! Patience, wow. When I got RIFfed in April from my day job (thanks, COVID), it took a TON of patience to sustain me through the job search, believing I’d find a good match, not jumping at a first offer, not getting discouraged by rejections. A lot like having a manuscript out on query, actually. I started a new gig two months later which is far from perfect, but it’ll do.
Now, I need patience to get me through the new job learning curve! 😅
LikeLiked by 4 people
(I had to pause to look up “RIFfed.” Thanks for teaching me a new word!)
Wow, J.C., what a story! CONGRATS on finding a new position! You’re going to ace that new learning!
LikeLiked by 3 people
With what life puts on one’s plate.
Love the artwork.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Life is so unpredictable.
Thanks for stopping by today, Dru, and for always bringing smiles & support to us (im)patient writers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love this peace of art… And patience really is a virtue. I’ve had to learn to be more patient with myself, since I write a little slower than I’d like 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks, Fleur! I feel the same way…especially when I hear other writer friends churning out drafts. 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Patience is a virtue… sometimes. It can also be a character flaw. When I finished my first book, I began querying agents, and I persisted for a year. I wish I had received a nicely worded rejection letter from each agent who didn’t want the book, but many chose not to even acknowledge my query: “If you don’t hear from us in ___weeks, the answer is no.” Of course, this puts all the onus on the writer to keep track of dozens of queries, as well as to write, edit and mange his life. Finally after a year, when I turned 65, I made the difficult decision to publish with KDP, and seven books later, I haven’t looked back. Would I be on the NYT bestseller list and waiting for the movie to come out if I was more patient? Anything’s possible. But I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have seven books out in three years if had been traditionally published. It’s as important to know when to stop being patient as it is to be patient.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wise words, Tom, about when to stop being patient. I remember being in the querying trenches and just assuming it was a pass if I didn’t get a response within a certain time. (QueryTracker & Excel were super helpful for me to stay organized.)
Seven books in three years is a huge feat. Way to go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Patience. Waiting for things that are out of your control to resolve. So very hard. I’m currently waiting on my newest m.s.–the first in a new series–which my agent has out on submission, and I can tell you it is not easy. So I will try to take to heart your beautiful artwork and breath in…breath out…
Thank you, Jen! I feel better already.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Aww, Leslie. (Feel free to bookmark this page and stare at the artwork anytime! 😂)
Can’t wait to hear the good news when all the acceptances roll in for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I “learned” patience (and put it in quotes because I have to keep learning over and over) when my first kid was young. I was so excited to see her move through the next stage. When she was just a lump, I couldn’t wait for her to roll over, then sit up, then crawl, then walk, then talk. By the time #3 came along, I realized how short that time really was, and that I should really settle down, savor it, and not wish their lives to move faster. Even the challenging times I realized I’d miss some day. (We did cloth diapers for 6 years straight, for instance.) So when I want things to hurry up I remember those fleeting times when I should have been more grounded, more present in the here-and-now. Everything happens when it’s supposed to. And if it doesn’t happen, it wasn’t supposed to.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, and I love the artwork. Very calming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Becky! Sometimes I feel like I want to push things along faster, but then I realize I need to stay present. With kids, I want them to be well-adjusted and kind adults–but now they’re growing up too fast!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just when you get used to them, they’re gone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennifer, the calligraphy art is so beautiful! I’ve had many lessons in patience lately. Apparently, I’m a slow learner!
LikeLiked by 4 people
LOL, Vickie!
LikeLike
Too many lessons, Vickie. It’s about time you got a break!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m really not patient. After about an hour on something, I’m ready to be done. So I admire the patience you and others have to become the writers you are.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks from all of us, Mark. An hour is good for me if it’s something like weeding!
LikeLike
Love the artwork and the post, Jen!
I’ve been getting a heaping helping of patience for the past year or so as I not-so-patiently wait to see what life’s next chapter has in store for me. I’ve been better at practicing professional patience. I force myself to let the draft of whatever I’m writing marinate as long as possible before revising or submitting. It’s been helpful. And illuminating!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m horrible at letting my drafts sit, but I make myself do it to get the proper perspective. I’d rather dive right in and edit.
As for life’s chapters, those are always tough. Like Becky, though, I’m trying to also enjoy all the little moments in life (maybe I should start up a gratitude journal again!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry I’m so late! (This week has been a LOT.)
But I love this post so much, Jen. It’s beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cynthia and I must have been at the same party. (Kidding. Definitely not a party.) But Jen, this is indeed an inspiring post. I constantly need to remind myself to be more patient, especially when I want a ms. (and my to-do lists) to be instantly d-o-n-e. I’ll keep trying!
LikeLike