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As many of you are aware, the Barbour team decided back in August/September to delay the launch of the new mystery book club until a yet-to-be-determined future date, anywhere from six months up to a year down the road. The decision made sense. In order to insure a successful launch, we needed to devote more time, energy, and moolah to marketing the new line than the original January '07 inaugural release date allowed. I made the announcement to my troop of contracted mystery authors, and although they must have been disappointed at the news (particularly the first-time authors,) they all offered support and encouragement.
For four months, we waited to hear news of the revised launch date. (In the meantime, my ever-thoughtful editor-comrades have kept me well supplied with editing projects. Thanks, pals!)
As time traipsed on, the natives grew restless. . .me included. When would we get this mystery trip on the road? My patience stretched as thin as pulled taffy. FINALLY, the word came down from on-high. Well, from down the hall, anyway. The mystery club will launch in January 2008. Let the countdown begin AGAIN! (And just how many more metaphors can I mix in one paragraph, anyway?)
So, I've reset my patience clock to go off in twelve months. Actually, it's more like eleven months and ten days.
With all this extra time on my hands, I've been cogitating on the virtues of patience. Where can I go to I cast my vote for naming "PATIENCE" as the #1 Over-rated Virtue? I mean, what makes impatience such a bad thing anyway? It feels so much better to stomp my feet, poke a few shoulders, and demand action NOW!
"But, consider this," Susan said, pointing finger at self. When we succumb to impatience, we live in the world of Tomorrow--wanting to leap ahead to the Grand Future Event without savoring the blessings of Today. (Or, in the words of John Lennon, circa 1980, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.") Jesus says it even better than that: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6: 34, NIV).
I hate to admit it, but I do believe impatience may be just another form of worry. . .and worry is the antithesis of faith. Psalm 37: 8 (NIV) says, "Do not fret [fret=concentrated worry]--it leads only to evil." Ouch.
As much as I look forward to January 2008 and the day when I'll see the fruits of our hard labor in print, I am determined to keep reminding myself to focus on the here-and-now. (Lord, please, give me patience. . .NOW!)
6 comments:
Great. Now I have TWO faults. Impatience AND worry. Haha. Seriously, though, I really don't want to live in tomorrow. I want to make the most of each day I have. Great post, Susan! Candice
I know another way to put this, Susan. "Don't wish you life away." This is one of my old saws I try and grab hold of. Always so busy looking forward to tomorrow, we don't life today.
Mary
Wow, even editors have to have patience! :) Seriously, I'm sure the line will be very successful, since, as you said, there's more time for marketing and promo. I wish you the best on the new line. God bless--
I am a comment junkie! I love reading your feedback, friends. Y'all bless me.
Cogitating? Wow. I'm impressed. I loved your post, Susan. You are one of the most patient people I know! Thanks for the reminder, though, I need to be more patient. :)
Cogitating isn't the half of it. Antithesis is the word I like. See, that's why Susan is my editor and my friend. She likes big words, too. And she knows how to use them. :-)
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