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.