One in particular caught my fancy. Thole. To endure. I've tholed a lot in my writing career (as have most writers). Writing is a pleasure, in and of itself, but the occasional pat on the back has punctuated my satisfaction.
At first, those pats arrived from my friends in critique, for a lovely turn of phrase or sneaky plot twist. Then, there were contest wins with positive feedback. Later, when an agent or editor requested a full, I could wallow in anticipation for weeks. A "positive" rejection? Bring it on!
Just last week I submitted a query for a completed screenplay my husband and I co-wrote, and in two day (TWO DAYS!) the producer requested a full. Dick and I then spent two days (TWO DAYS!) running through our draft, fine-tuning this and that, before sending it off, along with the typical Hollywood release form.
Yet now, with a few books under my belt, the dream of having a screenplay optioned or receiving another book contract has made enduring the wait for a response different. Yes, I still daydream about a positive outcome for each and every query, but the fact that an experienced producer found our story concept intriguing enough to spend his time reading 100+ pages is, in and of itself, a pat on the back of enough magnitude to keep me smiling. If he declines? Yes, I'll be sad, but not for long. I shall thole!
~ Folio
I love this! You and Dick have had many successes with Fogg In The Cockpit--well deserved. I am keeping my fingers crossed in the hope you'll have to thole the congratulations of all your friends when the contract comes through!
ReplyDeleteAnd boy have you sister! For some reason I picture a Viking when I hear the word. I must be associating it with some fantasy name or something... A bit like troll too... which is a sneaky threat just as is the business of writing sometime... we try to cross a bridge only to be harassed with some obstacle. But you, you dear have managed to beat the sh-t out of that troll over and over again! Inky
ReplyDelete