The One Skill Every Writer Needs

If you're serious about being a writer, you don't need to be a great speller (I'm horrendous!) or an expert in grammar (yeah, not great in that department either). What you do need is an imagination, a measure of talent, a lot of determination and a love of reading. But one other critical skill you need to acquire is patience. There's a lot of waiting in the writing business and you need to learn to do it with a grace (or at least make them think you've got that down).

At every turn in the process of writing a novel, you'll need to wait. You'll need to wait while trusted first readers make their way through 400 some pages. You'll need to wait for your agent to read, wait for your editorial letters, wait for page proofs, cover art, marketing plans. Waiting, I've decided has become as much of a writing skill as being able to type as fast as your brain spins the story.

Many writers would concur that, as Tom Petty put it, the waiting is the hardest part. How do you stop yourself from sending readers and agents obnoxious nudging emails? How do you keep yourself sane? How do you keep that imagination that helped your write the book from inventing a publishing horror story in your mind?

When it comes to waiting, I have one word:Distraction. Distraction is the name of the game. Keep busy, enlist the help of friends. I know some writers who decide that being on submission is the perfect time to paint their kitchens or living rooms. Whatever it takes, do it--and you'll look like a pro!