Tomorrow is August 24th!
Are you excited? Me, too. Can’t wait to read Mockingjay.
I haven’t been this excited for a book release since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
But I have to say, part of me is enjoying the wait. Really. There is something exquisite about anticipation.
Exquisite.
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems there are less and less moments to anticipate any more. Most everything we want is available to us 24/7. Sure, instant gratification has its perks, but there’s nothing like the butterflies of anticipation fluttering in your gut and your heartbeat quickening at the thought of an impending event.
I get those butterflies when I’m waiting for a concert to start. Or I’m about to see friends I haven’t seen in a long time. Or I’m waiting for a long-awaited book sequel. Or I’m in the darkened theatre, waiting for the new Harry Potter movie to start. (OK, so I really like Harry Potter.)
It’s all about what my imagination does with the waiting. What kinds of What If rabbit trails my brain takes. What will the opening line of the book be? Will Katniss choose Peeta or Gale, or will something horrible happen that makes the choice for her? Will the story completely break my heart? Will I go through an entire box of Kleenex this time?
When I was a kid, I hated waiting for Christmas morning. In fact, I was the naughty little girl who snuck down in the middle of the night to carefully tease back the wrapping on my gifts to see what waited for me under the tree. I know, go on and gasp. The worst part is I’d have to act surprised the next morning when we finally gathered to open our presents.
Call me older and wiser (OK, maybe just call me wiser, thanks) but I’ve learned to enjoy the wait. I’ve learned to savor the buzz a book release or movie debut or concert event generates. I’ve learned to relish the anticipation.
It takes time to create good work. And good work is worth the wait.
That goes for my work and your work, too.
When was the last time you really anticipated something? Have you learned to enjoy anticipation? Even for your own writing?