Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Livin' on Love...and Hate

I hate waiting.

Do you hate waiting?

I'd rather drive the long way around -- even if it takes the same amount of time rather than sitting in traffic.

I'd rather be cleaning my house than sitting around until an appointment (and I don't like cleaning).

I'd rather run around the block fifteen times that sit in front of my computer for that one anticipated email.

Is there an elegant way to wait?

Or maybe like this?

Or this?

And yet that is so much of life -- especially lately. Too many things are out of our control, so how do you develop patience?

Me? I read books. Or write my books. Or play piano. Or build a puzzle. Legos. Balance Cheetos on my nose... (but only the Simply ones).

There are no easy paths to patience. It's only in practicing it that we gain it.

So this is me. Waiting. The next big thing is coming but who knows when or how. Not holding my breath.

Maybe I'll start a soccer club while waiting. (I wish that was a joke.)

And let's be clear, this isn't passive waiting. This is working my rear end off while hoping for the intended outcome.



The awesome co-hosts for IWSG this month are J Lenni Dorner, Victoria Marie Lees, and Sandra Cox!

Question - Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you?

I major cringe when I read most of my old old works. If it was only a decade ago, it's usually okay to "Hey, that was a really inspired turn of a phrase." If it was six months ago, I usually like what I wrote. It's funny how time changes your perspective, but my goal is to always be learning more, so it doesn't matter how much I like something I've written, I will have new thoughts to apply.

What about you. How do you feel about old projects you've completed? Are you waiting on something? How do you keep yourself busy while waiting?

7 comments:

  1. I'll go the long way around as well!
    I also cringe when reading older pieces. So I usually just don't.

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  2. It can be hard to look back on things we wrote years ago, but it does help us to grow as writers, Crystal. Waiting isn't easy for me, either, but patience is a virtue we all have to learn. Have a blessed day!

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  3. I enjoy my older stuff. Waiting, not so much. I am a punctual person and impatient, especially behind the wheel.

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  4. Yes, we have to develop patience as a writer. And you're right that there's so much we can't control. I think focusing on what you do is a good way to handle it all.

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  5. I think patience is one thing that writing taught me. I won't say that I learned it though:)

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  6. Perfect timing for me with this post because I am actually waiting for a mail from my publisher today LOL and it ain't coming, which means I will spend days checking out the inbox. I usually turn off the computer, glue myself to my reading armchair and take a book.

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  7. This! - "There are no easy paths to patience. It's only in practicing it that we gain it." I'm working on it. :)

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Hit me with your cheese!