Cares:
My fifth novel, A Broken Kind of Beautiful, is officially out on submission. Still waiting to hear back from a publishing house about two others novels that have been awaiting pub board since April. Who says writers aren’t good at waiting?
Concerns:
It’s been the week of losing things. First, it was a couple documents on my computer. I wasted an entire block of writing time searching. Next up? Brogan’s glasses. Hubby and I tore our house apart two nights in a row. Then I realized I couldn’t find receipts I need for a reimbursement. So far, we’ve found the glasses. Documents are gone. Receipts? I swear they were just on my desk.
I’m experiencing a week of self-doubt. It’s like I can’t do anything writing-related without second-guessing myself a million times over.
Celebrations:
I received a very encouraging email about my writing the other day. I don’t know about you, but I am such a “words of affirmation” gal. Combine that with a tendency toward self-doubt and you get a woman who covets those encouraging emails and letters. They are such a blessing. It’s like God knows what I need for a pick-me-up and sends them at just the right time.
Question to Ponder: What are your cares, concerns, and celebrations today?
Care: My care is for you today, Katie. I think you have been amazingly patient (I know you probably don't *feel* patient, but still!) Six months to pub board is a long, long time. Go easy on yourself. My wait was only four months, and that was long enough. You're in the middle of a very tiring experience, so do everything you can to relax and give yourself grace, especially when it comes to how you feel about writing. If I were you, I would be gnawing on bookends by now, and climbing the walls!
Concerns: Finding writing time in a very busy season.
Celebration: Abundant gratitude for the beautiful world we've been given and the animals in it too!
Yay for having three books out there! That's a big achievement. I know waiting is hard, but hang in there. Keep writing while you wait; it'll help.
My CCC's are all muddled together. My DD had a big writing affirmation this week, and I'm excited for her. We're both heading for the Surrey Conference next weekend and I'm alternating between looking forward to seeing everyone again, hitting the workshops and being re-inspired, and worrying about trading my introversion for extroversion for another weekend, and maintaining the stamina for the non-stop pace. I'm ready to query again but can't push myself to start. Right now I'm procrastinating until after the conference weekend. And this weekend we have family arriving with a little one who has several specialists' appointments at Children's Hospital next week.
See what I mean? They're all muddled together!
Hi Katie –
Concerns: I didn't get the temp job. They selected another candidate. Can you imagine they're interviewing 5-10 people for temp jobs now???
Cares: I'm still working on time management issues.
Celebrations: Yay! I wrote a non-fiction piece today. It's with my crit partners. I also connected two friends for what I think will be a great partnersip. (Not romantic – ministry.)
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
I've has weeks like that! I hope things turn around for you next week! I'll be praying for a good outcome with all of your novels. I really am anxious to read them. My three C's?
Care-I only have two kids this week, my hubby took the other two hunting.
Concern- that hubby and my two boys are safe and catch one big elk!
Celebration- I'm really starting to get into my new WIP!!! I tuned that corner and started feeling involved. It always takes about 40 pages for me to start feeling it. Is that too long???
That's a lot weighing on your mind, Katie! Hang in there – better yet, hang on to Jesus.
MY CCC: Our church is going out & loving on the city – pray that they see Jesus' love through it.
Outlining is picking up – I had to stop and go back when I realized my WIP wasn't sufficiently plotted or researched. Feel much further along.
And celebrations? Going to a family birthday party tomorrow! 🙂
Sarah – that is hilarious! I think you should have left it "love". 🙂
Okay, just realized I said "I love my voice"…yikes. Meant to say "lost my voice." Wow, bet you were puzzled about that one, huh? 🙂
I'm totally with you on the words-of-affirmation thing. It's hard to imagine a writer who isn't into that. 🙂
Cares and concerns – I've got a nasty cold bug and I love my voice. My sister's coming down for another appt (and will be back every other week for the unforeseeable future).
Celebrations – I fit into a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans that I thought I'd never squeeze into again. Still waiting for the scale to agree, but I'll take it! 🙂
Good luck with your submissions!!! I hope you hear good news soon! 🙂
Cares- Cold temperatures and dreary skies are here. Not fun. I prefer heat and sunshine!
Concerns- My sister-in-law's fiancé has been waiting for a lung donor for a transplant since the summer. Who knows how much longer it could be? 🙁
Celebrations- My birthday is next week, and my husband is taking me out this weekend for dinner and shopping and whatever I want! I'm super excited!
Have a great weekend, Katie!
Yay for submission on A Broken Kind of Beautiful! I'll pray!
Cares: Getting some exercise today and making two cheesecakes for a party tomorrow.
Concerns: I'm feeling that insecurity about my writing, too–not what I'm working on right now, but if my writing is good enough to get to that next level.
Celebrations: Despite that concern, I've been burying myself in a new story and wrote several thousand words this week.
Have a good weekend!
Can't wait to hear about your submission. Fingers crossed for you! :O)
Yay for out on submission! That's progress! Editors are watching you, knowing your name and your stuff, and they're just waiting for the right project from you to launch into publication.
Cares and concerns: Deadlines and how to meet them.
Celebrations: My daughter is coming home for the first time since August!
Out on submission. Congrats!
I've been having the same kind of week. I'll pray for you. I cannot wait to read BKOB!
Cares: I need to exercise.
Concerns: Some kind of weird delayed grief. I'm a take care of business kind, so this is smacking me upside the head.
Celebrations: Joining The Writers Alley and actually learning some things I think God's been trying to teach me for forever and a day.
Love,
Wendy
I always get my thre Cs out of order so that's my concern! Lol No really, I am so sorry about your week. I pray next week is a good one and you hear something positive.
My concern is that all the books I have written so far are going no where and I don't know what it takes to put a good book together. How's that for a dreary wake-up thought?? Ok–I will snap out of it.
Cares: I need to organize my writing time. Now I'm outlining yet another book before I forget ideas.
Concerns: My daughter's Crohn's disease is whack. She needs to start IV infusions. My favorite kitty is very sick, and I'm afraid she won't make it.
Celebrations: My son is engaged. Wedding in July.
Praying with you. Three books on submission now? Wow. You need to come organize me.
Out on submission…that sounds really good! I know the waiting is difficult, but God has a place for your beautiful words. 🙂
I am pumped because I started my new story and I met my goal for the week…2000 words. Yay! Not a grand goal, mind you, but good for this working gal.
My writing concerns: I just sent in a full to Love Inspired but though I tried to make it the best I could, I'm so afraid (since this is my third submission) that the editor will be like, okay, forget trying our line. Your stories don't fit.
*sigh*
I hope you hear from pub board soon! Maybe the answer will be a holiday surprise. 🙂
Sorry about the receipts too. Hope you find them. Have a great weekend!