Every writer dreams of getting The Call.
I can’t think of a single writing friend immune to this phenomenon.
When it happens, it IS great. But what comes next? This is the one question I never thought to ask.
After I received The Call on April 21, I expected to be bombarded by emails and phone calls from my agent and editor for the next week or two. My reality–The Silence. For three, long months.
Time plays tricks with a writer’s mind. Here are some of the crazy, mind-tormenting thoughts that invaded my writer’s mind when surrounded by The Silence:
• Was it all a big, nasty dream?
• Are my agent and editor stalled over some irreconcilable difference in the contract?
• Did my publisher send the contract to my agent?
• Is my agent still reviewing the contract?
• Should I touch base to see how things are going, or should I wait for them to update me?
• When are my deadlines for Book 1 revisions and delivery for Books 2 and 3?
• When will I get my revisions letter?
• How drastic will the revisions be?
• Do I have the chops to make the requested revisions?
• And most importantly–Did they contact the wrong Tracey Devlyn?
But finally, logic took hold and I realized publishing is much like government (my day job)–everything moves at a snail’s pace. It’s a pain in the author’s patoot 
, but important documents must be seen and approved by a number of people. If those people are attending conferences, taking vacations, or burdened by a multitude of other tasks in this lean economy, contracts will take three months–sometimes more–to process. The key to overcoming this nail-biting waiting period is to focus your attention on the next book.
So while my agent and editor were sorting out the details of my contract, I began plotting and building character profiles for Book 2 in the series. A relative first for me.
I had dabbled with character profiles before, but nothing as extensive as I have done for Book 2. And plotting a book? *snort*
Before long, I had a road map from which to build a story. Not a complete one–just enough of the journey to get me to the midpoint. I could see the Rockies, but not the Pacific Ocean. Once I knew a few dips and turns in the road, the prospect of writing Book 2 on deadline didn’t feel as overwhelming. Then I began writing.
I wrote. I tweaked. I outlined. I wrote some more, tweaked some more, and so on until I had a chance to speak with my agent at the Romance Writers of America conference and get many of my questions answered. By this time, I had about 25,000 words written for Book 2. Had I waited, had I allowed The Silence to paralyze me, I wouldn’t now be friends with the characters in Book 2. I wouldn’t know their quirks and strengths. Wouldn’t know chapter one should actually be chapter four.
The Silence can make mental cases of us all.
Push past the doubt and focus on the next step. Do like I did–create self-imposed deadlines and expectations. Talk to your agent or editor.
The calm before the storm can be unpleasant. Instead of caving to insecurities, fill the time with positive actions and thoughts.
Most of all–believe in yourself, as your editor and agent do. Why else would they have called you in the first place?
Bio:
Tracey Devlyn writes historical romance with a dash of danger. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Windy City, Hearts Through History, The Beau Monde and Kiss of Death Romance Writers of America chapters. Tracey’s also a co-founder for Romance University, a group blog dedicated empowering writers, entertaining readers, and understanding men.
Tracey’s first release, A Lady’s Revenge, hits the bookstores Fall 2011.
Tracey lives in the Midwest with her once-in-a-lifetime husband and their alpha puppy.
Please visit http://TraceyDevlyn.com or http://RomanceUnivesity.org for more details.
Tracey, that was very smart. My CP Michelle did the same thing and had a partial ready for her agent to send to her editor. She’s very smart, too.
Tracey, that’s so funny. Yes, as Edie says, I did the same thing. It worked really well for me, too. I think we should always focus on the next book. Something I should be doing right now . . .
Tracy,
Congrats on getting the call and having the smarts to keep plugging away. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Great advice, Tracey. I should have talked with you after I got the call. My “silence” was only three weeks, and I was climbing the wall, convinced the editors had woken up in a cold sweat because they’d offered for the wrong book by the wrong author…well, you get the picture. I’ve got book 2 outlined, and I’m working my way through figuring social media as well. My life is non-stop now!
Can’t wait to see your book 1 AND book 2! Congratulations.
Hi ladies,
I’m glad to see I’m in good company! One thing about the journey is that we we can’t always clearly see the right thing to do. This is where you have to listen to your gut…or your very smart friends.
FYI…I’ll be on the road today. I’ll check in again before I leave, then again when I get home late afternoon.
I look forward to answering any questions you may have.
Tracey
Great post, Tracy! I had a similar wait, wait experience. Then, work, work!
Tracey -
Adrienne and I are greedy CPs and friends who will benefit from you talking us down from this ledge one of these days soon. You’ll be our voice of reason when we’re convinced they called the wrong writer! Thanks for being a fabulous blogmate, CP, friend and writer. I’m so excited and honored to be a part of your journey!
Kelsey
The wrong Tracey Devlyn. That’s funny. There was no way they got the wrong Tracey Devlyn. Since I’ve read your book, I know it’s too good for that to happen.
Thanks for letting me tag along on this journey with you. Now I know what to expect!
Great post, Tracey! 3 months of silence! Wow. You would think it’d be the opposite, but that goes to show you there’s always another hurdle to get through. Thanks for the tips and sharing! Congrats!
Tracey, your post makes laugh because all the thoughts that went through your head are the same ones that went through mine! Glad to know I’m not the only paranoid writer out there.
I can’t wait till next fall, when I can read A LADY’S REVENGE!
Amy, Therese and Laurie–
We can commensurate over a drink in New York next year!
Hi everyone,
I made it home safe and sound. There’s nothing like pulling into your driveway, stepping out of the car, and smelling the familiar scents of home.
Kelsey and Adrienne–
Ladies, we’re in this together. Thanks for lifting me up when I needed it. You guys are the best.
Marian–
Talking about these little “unknowns” of publishing is a goal of mine over the next year. There are so many bits of it that we hear over and over, but so many other pieces that we hear zilch on. I’ve always been fascinated by the zilch parts.
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First of all great news, I hope you enjoy the feeling of getting the call. The slow pace can be hard for me to manage. Thanks for the great tip! Wonderful post.
Tracey, your three month wait floored me. Wow! Thank you for sharing the details and the funny head games you played while pondering the silence. This is a gem I’ll tell other fellow writers. And, I loved your analogy comparing the publishing business with the slow, grinding wheels of government.