To be a writer is to write.

And wait. Heavy on the waiting.

Here is the hard truth: nothing in the traditional publishing industry happens overnight. In fact, everything moves pretty much at what an outsider might consider a snail’s pace. That book that was just released was purchased by a publisher upwards of two years ago. That query letter you sent off might take agents two months (or more) to even open, depending on their current workload. The same thing goes with that requested partial or full manuscript; don’t expect anyone to read it overnight.

The same holds true for getting your book sold; it takes time for an agent to query publishers, and for editors to read your work. It’s maddening.

So…how do you stay sane while (im)patiently waiting for any of this?

I have a few suggestions, with the caveat that these coping tactics are what work for me. YMMV.

Write. Let me say that again, this time in all caps: WRITE. Build up a backlist. If this book doesn’t sell, you want to have another waiting in the wings with which to approach editors. Besides, you need to keep writing to stay in practice. This is important, trust me. BTDT.
Read. Again, for the folks in the back: READ. Refill the creative well. Know what your fellow writers are producing, and what publishers are putting on the shelves. Granted, these are books that were written two years ago, but you need to follow what’s happening in the world of books.
Vent. Don’t keep your frustrations bottled up. (Again, trust me on this one.) You don’t have to broadcast your feelings to the world, but neither must you suffer in silence. Having one or two trusted writer friends with whom you can commiserate can make the difference between staying sane and circumspect, and wanting to run down the road screaming with a pair of underwear on your head. (Disclaimer: no, I have not done this. Yet.)
Listen. Find new music that inspires you. YouTube is great for this. I create playlists for every new book, and I invariably discover a new-to-me artist whose music I find inspiring and uplifting. This is also another way to refill the creative well. Because you cannot pour from an empty cup. (Full cups are better, both with creativity and with wine.)
Move. As in exercise. You don’t have to be a gym rat, but moving the body helps keep the mind in balance. Start small, maybe 20 minutes, three times a week. A brisk walk, an exercise video (another plug for YouTube here), a dance class, a yoga class—anything. Just make time for yourself and for your body. Your mind will thank you. (It might not at first if you haven’t exercised in a while, but it will come around eventually. I speak from experience, here.)
Live. Your existence goes on, even if your writing career (querying, submissions, etc.) seems stalled. Don’t make the waiting the entire focus of your life, because you WILL end up running down the road screaming with those tighty whities on your head. Then you’ll end up as a viral video on YouTube, and no one wants that. (Not likely, but stranger things have happened.) Your goal (acquiring an agent, selling your book) is temporarily out of your control. And that’s okay. Live. Learn to let go.

All of this may be easier said than done. There are days when I obsessively check my emails like a chipmunk on crack. Then I realize I’m being ridiculous (honestly, that underwear was looking better and better), take a deep breath, and get back to what I was doing.

The most seasoned and experienced authors go through this, and you can, too. You are not alone. So put down the underwear and put on some music or go for a walk. And when you come back, sit down at your keyboard and write. Your sanity will thank you, and so will your career.

“You need to establish your author brand.”

“My what, now?”

“Your brand, your author brand.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Look, it’s simple. How do you want the rest of the world to see you?

“Like I am right now.”

“Yes, but how are you going to do it?”

“Um…be myself?”

Sigh.

And there, folks, is the crux of social media marketing as a writer. You’re not just selling your books; you’re selling YOU. So, how do you want to go about it?

If you look on Twitter, and search the hashtag #writerscommunity, you’ll find a host of people seeking to do just that: market themselves. Some do it with endless promotions of their books, or those of others. Others share small snippets of their writing, whether it be bits from a work in progress (WIP), or a scrap of flash fiction. Others lean more towards active interaction with fellow writers, in whatever form that takes: encouragement, observations on writing, or simply posting small daily truths about their lives and commenting on those of their fellows.

Instagram is much the same. There are writers who post exclusively on the craft of writing (posting writing prompts, motivational quotes, etc.), and others who use IG to give people a window into their lives.

You can probably guess where I fall in all of this.

With my book(s), you’re seeing a part of me I rarely share with the outside world - the dark, tangled realm of words and ideas that lurks beneath this bubbly exterior. But that’s not entirely who I am. I’m also a maker of bad puns (hence the waiver on this site’s header), a snarkaholic (it’s genetic, I swear), and a loyal cheerleader and supporter of my fellow writers. I want readers to see all of that when they pick up my books or find me on social media.

When I worked a full-time gig in the corporate world, my boss asked me to decide what personal brand I wanted to promote as one of his employees. Without hesitation, I responded that I wanted people to see me as a proactive, conscientious employee who got things done right, and on time, so I acted accordingly.

The same holds true for me as an author. I want people to see not just my writing, but (hopefully) the kind, encouraging, (hopefully) humorous, often-irreverent person behind the words.

Come follow me on Twitter (@Liz_Perrine) and on Instagram (@lizperrine) for a glimpse into the real me. I’ll try to keep it funny and mostly PG-13, but I make no promises. (You’ve been warned. )

See you soon.