One virtue writers must have is patience! Waiting to hear back about queries and proposals can be painstaking especially if we have high hopes.

What we do during the waiting period is key to our future success. I know I've had times when I've obsess over the mailbox button while waiting to hear back fror someone. All I do is drive myself CRAZY.

I've found it's much better to stay focused on the next article, story (whatever the task may be), leave the mailbox alone, and then be pleasantly surprised when I do hear something. Sounds like it should be easy, but it takes work to be disciplined!