Melanie Nilles

(cross-posted from my LJ blog)

I think of waiting for all these things that I’ll mention and it makes me think of Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and the inevitable “Waiting Place” where everyone is just waiting. I feel like that’s where I am. Just waiting on so many things to happen.

1. Waiting for Dragon Prophecy to actually be printed, not just available for pre-order. Then the real work begins!

2. Waiting to hear from agents on the queries I sent out this last weekend for God Kin. I’ve already had one rejection, but I think I have half a dozen queries out, so I’ll wait for a few more to come before sending out more. I tend to go in spurts.

3. Waiting for FedEx to deliver my iPaq that I ordered last week. I had to put a note on the doorbell not to ring, because I now have kids napping.

4. Waiting for Saturday to take Beau to the vet. If you love horses, please pray that whatever this cough is that it’s curable, not just treatable. He’s too young to get heaves! And he’s finally getting out of the awkward, ugly stage and turning into a beautiful dressage prospect with wonderful conformation for that or hunter. (His withers and croup are level now; and the back legs don’t look so camped-out but rather more in line with where they should be.) And he’s figuring out how to use those long legs without getting tangled I want him healthy and able to do the job I bought him and am training him to do.

5. Waiting for edits from my editor for Dark Angel. I’m liking her less as she complains about the pacing. I think she expect action in the form of fighting/running from trouble rather than action in the form of high school problems and relationships, which makes up much of the story for the MC. Said editor told me the pace doesn’t pick up until a certain chapter (which is where the fighting/fleeing stuff happens). In light of that, do I go back and rip out what makes the story fun, imho, or rewrite to satisfy her tastes? This story was already accepted by the publisher (and she wasn’t part of that decision), so I don’t think it should be changed too much. I like the story fun, not always serious and tense all the way through. But I’m also used to writing with my girly tastes in mind, which involves emotions and relationships and the conflicts involved in those aspects of life. I sometimes feel like this editor has a chip on her shoulder or would prefer straight science fiction to real-world SF and have considered requesting someone else, but some things she is good at spotting. And she’s taking way too much time on this! okay /rant. I have veto power over her opinions at least.

6. Waiting for baby girl’s teeth to come in so she can finish the teething terrors. Good lord! I hate teething! Can we be done soon?

7. Waiting right now for kids to fall asleep so I can relax and enjoy some peace

I’m not a patient person. I hate waiting. I’m glad I broke my habit of biting my nails long ago. I’d have nothing left!