Like other writers, I’ve had a lot of rejection (and silence). I recently experienced another obstacle: waiting.
I drafted a sample manuscript and proposal for a book in 2014. I began submitting it the following year. Finally, in April of 2016 an editor made an offer for my middle grade nonfiction book.
We couldn’t move forward with the contract because of rights and permissions.
What’s a writer to do? After the initial disappointment passed, I got busy.
I studied other children’s books. I worked to improve my own writing. I attended workshops and took classes.
I wrote books for assignments. I wrote manuscripts. I wrote magazine articles. I wrote blog posts.
The possibility of the book wasn’t far from my mind. While I waited, my vision for the book changed.
After more than two years, we finally had the permissions needed to move forward. Chicago Review Press sent me a contract.
The dreaded waiting time worked to my advantage. I added an extra chapter, sidebars, and additional resources to the manuscript.
I’m thrilled to say my sixth book, The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide, will be out next year. It’ll be a different book—a better book—than the originally proposed book.
For that I’m grateful for waiting.
Annette Whipple inspires a sense of wonder in young readers while exciting them about science and history. Her sixth book, The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide, will release in 2020. When she’s not reading or writing, you might find Annette snacking on warm chocolate chip cookies with her family in Pennsylvania. Learn more about Annette’s books and presentations at www.AnnetteWhipple.com.?
Yeah, waiting can be a really good thing! And I have so many story ideas, I’ll never live long enough to write them all. hahahahaha!
I feel the same way, Pam!! Carol
I didn’t like the wait, but certainly learned its value as time went on. But we’re writers. So much of what we do is hurry-up-and-wait! 🙂