The Tears And Triumphs Of A New Author Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

Wait ---- wait for a response to your submission query from a publisher that never comes.
Wait --- wait for a response from a literary agent that never comes.
Then, when you finally sign a contract with a credible publisher and submit your manuscripts ---- you wait again for the year it takes to get your book in print.
Obviously, if you aspire to be an author, patience is a virtue.
As fate would have it, I was blessed with incredible good looks and a razor-sharp wit rather than patience. (Just kidding)
At the ripe old age of sixty-seven, I don't imagine that I have a lot of time to dawdle.
Actually, I have always subscribed to the redneck credo, "Get 'er done!"
Once I have formulated a plan and a goal, I can't rest until I see it to fruition.
My approach to my writing is the same. Once I started on Lady Justice, I couldn't quit. I wrote all day and laid awake at night thinking about what I was going to write the next day. On more than one occasion, when my nocturnal musings were particularly inspirational, I left my bed and typed, fearing I would forget by morning.
My poor wife would stumble into the office at three A.M., shake her head and mutter, "You've got to be kidding!"
So what does a retired realtor turned frustrated writer do while he's waiting for his books to be published?
Write some more, of course.
As soon as Lady Justice Takes A C.R.A.P. and Lady Justice And The Lost Tapes were in the system, I started on the third installment of the Lady Justice series, Lady Justice Gets Leid.
I was really anxious to get started on Walt's newest adventure.
As you might suspect from the title, the story takes place in Hawaii.
My wife and I lived on Maui, Hawaii for five years, from 2002 through 2007, and I had planned from the beginning for Walt and Maggie to visit this beautiful paradise.
As with the previous two novels, once I got started, I couldn't rest.
Before the first two novels had cleared copy editing, Lady Justice Gets Leid was ready to submit.
I called the acquisitions rep at Tate Publishing and asked if she wanted to see volume three.
Within a week, Lady Justice Gets Leid was under contract and in the system.
Three novels were being edited and made ready for publication, but the first two wouldn't be out for at least two months.
So what does an impatient writer do while he's waiting?
Keep writing!