Mom? Not so much. When she took her first toddling steps, I knew the day would come and yet when it arrived I was a little more worked up than I thought I would be. And yet I knew it was what was best for her, so while I had that first mommy-letting-go moment it also felt like she was finally taking a few steps on her own.
Kind of like a writer-letting-go moment.
I've been working toward fiction publication for five years now. I've let go of more manuscripts than I care to count because they weren't working. I've let go of 6 to send them off to agents and publishers. Those were toddling steps. So far this year I've sent off 2 novels, which are under consideration and am working on a trilogy of novellas for another publisher. You know what? It's still hard - not as hard as sending the kiddo off to pre-school (and she's now in her second semester) - but I'm confident.
Once they are let go? I'm learning to accept that I have no control of what happens outside my office. That is a solid step for me. At that point all I can do is work on the next book and then the next and the next.
Baby steps. Just like the kiddo first struggling to stand and then to take a toddling step. I've been taking toddling steps long enough. This year, those toddling steps are going to be more confident.
Have you taken any toddling or letting go steps this year? Share your tips for surviving in the comments below:
Kristina, this is a great analogy. And I like that your "toddling" steps are going to be more confident. I think that's the best way to get us to more forward, and try more adventurous things. I've got my fingers crossed for your manuscripts!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many of those letting go moments in a Mom's life. I remember preschool, kindegarten, jr. high and high school. Letting them take the car on thier own the first time, and realizing their too old to still have a curfew.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, much of it is applicable to our writing and the processes we go through there. It does get easier.
Great post, Kristi.
Thanks for coming by Donna and Connie! Letting go - of anything - is hard...but it has to be done.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard letting go! Of my expectations, my hold my kids--everything. I try to focus on what I can do rather than what is out of my control--but it's hard! Congrats on your submissions. All of these steps will pay off.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Kristi and truthfully you and the others said it all...so I have nothing to add...which is hard for me to let go of since I love to contribute..lol
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your stories out for submission! I hope you hear good things soon :)
Jill, you're right - it's hard to not have complete control over our work!
ReplyDeleteChristine, you crack me up! Thanks for the good wishes
This is a very timely post for me! I've had to make some not-so-easy letting go decisions lately myself. (Just this week, as a matter of fact!)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on those submissions!
It's the waiting that gets me Kris. Once I finally hit that sale status it doesn't end. You wait for the contract, wait for the cover, wait for edits, wait for the release date...the worst so far- the months between knowing when your book will be available for public consumption to that actual, physical day. I've ran a gamut of emotions during these last two months and I still have two to go. Baby steps don't help when you have nowhere to go. That's when it helps to just write more.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on Bebe growing into a strong and independent little womanette. :)