Patience
—Patience—
Is a virtue, yes. We’ve all heard the timeless cliché. From our parents—or teachers, perhaps. But damn, is it tough sometimes. As I continue to reflect on the query process, I’ve realized that one of the things sometimes lacking in my disposition is patience. The standard-issue waiting that comes with every query submission is to be expected—and it’s fine for the most part. (Some days are harder than others, though, and you just want to hear back from the agents who’ve had your query for 90-plus days.) I'm talking more about the long game—the waiting game. Like when is an agent gonna offer me representation? game.
In my research this week, I stumbled upon a 2022 interview with a young author in which she discusses her own experience in the query trenches before signing with her agent. There was lots of good stuff, but one thing stood out in particular re rejections: “A rejection isn’t a ‘no’, it’s a ‘not yet’. Most folks seem unafraid to proffer an interpretation when it comes to rejection (I’ve catalogued quite a few myself), and it may seem euphemistic for ‘I failed’, which is fine, I think—perhaps even good. A healthy dose of reality is good for the soul, right? But it’s also important to take patience into consideration.
Because I’ve also realized that I want an agent now. Like today. It seems only reasonable, right? You’ve worked so hard on something, done your best, and now you want your trophy. But with this new revision of NIGHTLIGHTER, I’ve only been querying since the end of November (2023). That’s three months. Not terribly long. Some authors query for a few years with a revision before they sign. I need to remember that. I need to practice patience.
All this to say, I think I’m equating patience to failure. But that’s not a productive mindset. So I’ve been working to change it. One of the agents (#5 from my last post) passed on my submission this week. It hurt; I was feeling really good about it. In her reply she did say, however, that she feels confident that my book will find a home soon. That’s good. I need to remember that. I need to keep grinding.
I need to practice patience. Because a ‘no’ is not a ‘no’; it’s a ‘not yet.’ And that yet is coming soon. I can feel it.
That’s all for now. Peace,
-Taylor
TJH -- 03.01.2024