In general, I can be pretty patient.
Last two weeks of my pregnancy, I was a bit antsy. Especially since TOG was TWO WEEKS overdue. Hmph
TG and I laying hands on Tog, two plus weeks after due date. Begging her to show up.
When we closed on the house last year, the last two weeks of paper gathering was infuriating. I didn’t believe I was a homeowner until the keys were in my hand.
Calling my mom, two seconds after the closing. Little did I know, a year later, I'd still have no furniture. And thirty minutes after this picture was taken, raw sewage started coming out of my kitchen sink. Nice!
But nothing compares to the book wait. It’s now been six months since I sold my book. Four months since I got the contract and got the nerve to actually announce it to the world.
I should be used to the hurry-up-and-wait. There have been several instances of ebb and flow in the celeb memoirs I’ve written. Checks get held up. Lawyers have questions. I signed a contract to write a rapper’s memoir a YEAR ago. He still hasn’t signed off on his copy. Editors get busy with other projects. Things happen.
But this is different. This is my name on the title. No sharing.
And I still do NOT believe this is real. I just don’t. Every day I think my editor is going to call and say, “y’know what? This title isn’t really right for our list. Thanks.”
My agent is the official hand-holder. He’s explained to me more than once that my editor’s workload has increased since they laid off folks. This mean orphaned books are now on her desk.
I get the logistics. But it doesn’t calm me.
I need to know so many things: which characters does she love? Hate? How can I make it better? What does she want me to change? When when when will I get that glorious package of marked-up pages that I can attack with aplomb?
When?
I’d settle for any contact. A phone call. An email. A Tweet. A note from a carrier pigeon. Something that proves to me that Sulay Hernandez really exists and still plans to publish my book.
(I am fully aware that I sound like a spoiled ingrate right now).
I met with Ryan for lunch last week. I moaned and groaned over a very lovely lunch of losbter bisque at Markt. Ryan was firm. But sweet.
“It is what it is baby,” Ryan said. “You gotta chill.”
And then. The Very Next Day….
I jumped out of my office chair and let out a whoop of relief. And then, of course, I immediately wrote her back. Sounding like a big old doofus.
Sulay’s response:
And there it is. She exists! My book is real! And um, people, did she say my book is the star of her summer list?
This makes me want to vomit. I am officially jinxed. And by putting it out here in cyberspace for all my dear readers to see. Well, now I’m absolutely doomed.
Even my folks who love me dearly will now read the book next summer and say, hmph. Wasn’t all that. Wasn’t worth no it’s my book of the summer status.
I am absolutely, categorically terrified.
Not just because I feel pressure.
But because I’m sharing it here! My god in heaven what’s wrong with me?
If it flops, this post will live in infamy. ‘Member last summer when Sulay thought her book was all that? Hmph. See how that turned out, right?
But this is my mission. It’s why I blog. Ten years ago, I would have really appreciated being this up close and personal to someone at this stage of their journey. I would have absorbed it. Probably would have never commented. But I would have printed and posted all pertinent posts. (Say that three times twice.)
My goal on this blog is to have you finish each post and walk away with some tool for your writing life. (Unless, of course, I’m talking about weight gain, the Grammy Awards and other minutiae).
So I have to woman up and share this. Sulay loves my novel. And I have to believe this is utterly real.
I will continue to share these moments–from now til August, 2010. When this joint hits stores.
I. can’t. wait. for. my. edits. I. can’t. wait. for. my. edits.I. can’t. wait. for. my. edits.I. can’t. wait. for. my. edits.
I don’t even know what to do with myself until Sulay tells me what to do with myself.
I mean, it’s not like I don’t have other gigs. Got a story on technocheating due in two days. Still working on an investigative piece I hope to get placed soon. And I’m a Yummy’s-shilling-fool. (Cracks me up when I see some of my dear readers following Yummy’s on Twitter. I see y’all figured me out ha.)
But besides the usual, there is this undercurrent running through my every thought. the edits I. can’t. wait. for. my. edits.I. can’t. wait. for. my. edits.I. can’t. wait. for. my. edits.
Breathe.
Dear readers: Just one question today:
WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH MYSELF UNTIL MY EDITOR SENDS MY EDITS BACK?!
I’d love to hear from you. No. Scratch that. I NEED to hear from you.
Aliya S. King 
June 29, 2009 at 9:17 am
OH MY GOODNESS ALIYA! I FEEL ALL OF YOUR ANIXETY!
Writer to writer, I’m incredibly excited and happy for you! Thank you for sharing your journey! As for what you do in the meantime while waiting for your edits? I say PLAY and ENJOY this moment of bliss! Go to the beach, pray and give thanks, enjoy your family, enjoy your homegirls (with cocktails of course) and treat yourself gently. Camomille tea might help a little though. :)
CONGRATULATIONS! It’s really real!
June 29, 2009 at 10:00 am
My goal on this blog is to have you finish each post and walk away with some tool for your writing life.
===
Thank you.
Mission accomplished.
June 29, 2009 at 10:01 am
Congratulations Love. This is incredibly inspiring.
The lack of pretense on your blog is why I keep coming back.
My goal on this blog is to have you finish each post and walk away with some tool for your writing life.
===
Thank you.
Mission accomplished.
June 29, 2009 at 10:05 am
Bask in the glow!
You are an amazing writer and blogger. Thank you for your words of encouragement and advice!
June 29, 2009 at 10:23 am
August 2010 = NYTBA Squared!
It is written.
Let’s Go!
June 29, 2009 at 11:05 am
take a vacation? Lol.
Maybe you should start writing your 2nd novel while you wait for the edits. Treat books like mixtapes and just keep pumping em out. A lot of the writers that I grew up admiring published rather frequently. When the book drops in 2010, you’ll already have your next one lined up and ready to go.
June 29, 2009 at 11:16 am
come out with me for a mani/ pedi and lunch!
June 29, 2009 at 11:40 am
Celebrate!!!
June 29, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Just chill yo, its not falling through and you will eventually get to edit…
June 29, 2009 at 5:28 pm
@Aliya
By the way, you came along way. You are an established, known writing(with talent). You’ve paid your dues and apparently you’ve gained a following(who knew?). I’m amazed at how your career has progressed and continues to blossom. Enjoy. Your FIRST novel will be published.
June 29, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I agree with Paul about starting on your second novel while waiting for your edits.
Aliya, I adore this blog and I really appreciate you documenting your journey.
It leaves a lot for writers like me to aspire to.
Congrats on getting closer and closer. :)
June 29, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Enjoy each and every moment every single day. Whats meant to be WILL be no matter if you trip from now until 2010 or just enjoy the ride. I vote for enjoying the ride!
June 29, 2009 at 9:40 pm
CONGRATS!!
I agree with Paul, start working on book # 2 (if you haven’t already).
once again, CONGRATS! I can’t wait to read it.
June 30, 2009 at 9:01 am
YEAH! Go on sis – get funky, jump, scream, shout, and shake yo body down to the ground. This is WONDERFUL news for someone so deserving! This blog has taught me so much thus far and for that I appreciate you! Hmmm, now what should you do after celebrating? Well, get ya behind in gear and start work on book #2, #3, #4, etc. Wait, judging from what I’ve learned in your blogs, I’m sure you already have *something* waiting in the wings – lol. Again, congratulations! Much respect! =)
June 30, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Wow, Aliya. This has to be such a huge moment for you. Congratulations!
The only suggestion I can make to pass the time is to find out how much it costs to wallpaper your entire house with the book’s cover.
Go!
June 30, 2009 at 2:47 pm
YAY!!! WOO WHOOOO!!!
Jinx spinx. Your book is going to be great. Bestseller!!!! No room for negativity.
July 1, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Congrats Aliya!
Can’t wait to read it.
I would say just try to enjoy this moment and maybe write about it :-)
July 6, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, to all the good stuff. First take a deep breath and say a prayer of gratitude. Then exhale that breath and go out screaming, shouting and celebrating with those who have been on this ride loving and supporting you from day one. Then, when you get home and your sitting there exhausted with glee – get to work on book number 2. Blessings to you sweetie, I am so proud of you, and will be waiting in line to get my copy next summer.
July 9, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I know, Im really focused on writing my book but i can’t wait to get it finished.
my computer is broken, and i have to work for the money to fix it ~ im upset
[working for your parentts is the worst kind of work]
you keep saying i need my computer for school and thats tru but im thinkin welll f the school what about finishing my book?
[ oh and lee the f means forget, he he he ]