Patience & Resilience: Essential Characteristics for Writers
Patience and resilience are two of the most essential qualities a writer needs. As hard as writing can be at times, it is actually the easiest and most enjoyable part of being a writer. If you're wanting to be published, the next step can be the most difficult. It is here that patience and resilience come into play
Patience:
Editing: Wisdom dictates that once you've written your story, you should leave it for a few weeks, then come back to it with fresh eyes for an edit. This can be very difficult especially when you're on a writing high, having finished a piece of work. The temptation to send it off immediately, or to pick it up and meddle with it need to be resisted, so that you can gain perspective before reviewing it. I've often gone back to writing after a break, and found I'd missed something important, and discovered the story I was so excited about actually needs a lot more work. Other times, I've come back to a piece, and been very pleased with it. Time gives enough distance to help you view your work more objectively.
Submitting work: Next comes the stage where you're ready to start sending it out: you've polished your story, you're satisfied with it, and so you select your market and send off the article. Then the waiting begins. At this stage, it's best to simply forget about the story.
If you've submitted it to a daily or weekly publication, there is usually a quick turnaround - days or weeks before you hear if your work has been accepted.
If you've written for a monthly publication, then most operate with a 6-8 week response rate.
If you've written a novel or book, you're looking at 3-6 months before you get a response, if at all.
Acceptance: If you receive a favourable response, the next stage for magazines and newspapers may involve edits, and waiting for the publication to come out, before the joy of receiving your payment.
For books, the process is only just beginning, starting with contracts, editing, then with layouts, proofs and finally publication. It may take up to a year in traditional publishing. (Don't be fooled by quick turn arounds in e-publishing - publish in haste and repent at leisure! A comprehensive edit is very time consuming, and essential. Once the book is published, there is also the marketing (another entire subject) and finally, hopefully, the royalty cheques start coming - once or twice a year.
Rejection: This is where resilience comes in. Oliver Goldsmith said : 'Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.'
Resilience allows you to take the rejection on the chin, learn from it if you're given any constructive feedback, and then try again. Just because one story had not succeeded with one editor does not mean it's a bad story or that you are a bad writer. It can simply mean it wasn't the right home for your work. I've often had work rejected by one editor that another one snapped up. I also console myself with reminders that every great author has had to deal with rejection. JK Rowling has published some of her rejection letters on Twitter. Google them if you need the encouragement. And above all else, persevere.
Writing is hard work. Gary Player once said that success is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. But when you get it right, there is nothing like it!