A Cure for Writing Impatience

by Kelly Carey

I’ve never been a patient person. Sometimes this works out great. I’ve completed school assignments days before their due dates. I’m usually very relaxed the day before a trip because I have impatiently packed days earlier.  And my kids get a huge selection of back to school supplies to choose from because I make them buy their provisions the first week in August. (My kids would argue that this is a negative.)

Other times, a lack of patience is a problem.  Like when it comes to long car rides,  lines for amusement park rides, and cookie dough (are we sure raw dough can really kill me, because I’ve tested this theory a lot and I’m still here?). And when it comes to a lack of patience and a writing career, waiting to hear back from agents and editors can be a BIG problem.

You can try to wile away the time before you sign with an agent or sell your manuscript by diving into a draft of a new story. Or you can distract yourself with revisions, writing workshops, Netflix, chocolate and gardening. But sometimes that impatience demands more - an offering of some sort.

I have found the answer for this impatient writing monster. Use Scrivener and Staples to take a sneak peek at your novel and you'll find your impatience soothed.

Here's how it works:

 1.  In Scrivener under File, select Compile.

 2. In the Compile screen, choose to Format As: Paperback Novel.

3. Now you have three routes you can take. You can either a) print the pages yourself (print them one-sided only and full 8 ½ x 11)  OR b) you can download the compiled document onto a flash drive to take to Staples OR c) You can email the document to Staples and place your order with them electronically.

4. I’m a hands on gal, so I chose the first option and printed the pages. And this may satisfy the harping impatient writing imps in your soul. And maybe you happily three-hole punch the printed document, slide it into a binder and enjoy hugging this tangible evidence of your wonderful creative energy and your impatient writing self lies dormant for a bit.

5. If and when it wakes, it’s time to go to Staples. You can either a) go online to Staples.com and place your order or b) go in person to the Staples Print & Copy center and order what Staples calls a “manual” but what you know is actually your novel.  Staples will take your flash drive, your emailed “paperback novel” formatted document or your tightly gripped 8 ½ x 11 one sided print-out and shrink it down and reproduce it.  My middle grade manuscript was 152 pages and I paid less than $10 a copy for ten copies.

This actual printed novel version of my manuscript is not only a balm for my impatience but a talisman that I can hold up to motivate my quest for publication and ward off the pitfalls of self-doubt that will come with even the most polite rejections.

And my heart does a little satisfied sigh when I come across a family member reading my novel.

 So go ahead – be impatient and take a sneak peek at your novel.