Guest Interview: Pati Ence
This week, I have the pleasure of welcoming Pati to my Write Anything column to talk about her writing journey. It’s certainly a journey with which we can all identify!
Hi Pati and thanks for joining us. Firstly, can you tell us who you are, and what you do?
Thanks, Zena. My name is Pati Ence, some people call me waiting. I live alongside writers, helping to discourage their self-doubt and giving them a good night’s sleep while they wait for news about their writing projects. It’s no easy task, mind you, especially with my cousin, Impati constantly trying to undermine me–giving my writers nightmares, making them grotty, and possibly forcing them do or say something they will later regret. Keeping him away from my writers is a full time job!
Your own cousin? Wow, that must be hard for you to deal with, Pati.
It is, but I know that stopping him from getting to my writers is the right thing to do. All good things come to those who wait, and that’s what I want for my writers–all good things. And I’m not the only one who thinks this way. Shi Nythings, one of the PR Managers for Social Media & Stuff Organisation, loves my work and always has plenty of suggestions for writers to help them with their waiting.
But you do have some critics of your work.
That’s right, Zena. Procrasti Nation, the Director of Write-More Inc, is perhaps my biggest critic. He says nothing ventured is nothing gained. And I do see his point of view. There are writers who would rather fiddle around with their writing, rather than put it ‘out there’. But I say: once it’s out there, just wait.
Publishers and editors are busy people.
Well, we all are really, aren’t we? But the thing is that every time you bother an editor or publisher, your email, text or phone call goes through anti-spam software specifically designed by Ann Oyance for the publishing industry. Unfortunately one of the side effects of Ann Oyance’s software is its filters can distort tone and meaning. Editors and Publishers will get to your work as soon as they can, but writers have to be aware that every time you bother them, there’s increasing distortion.
What advice do you have for first time writer-waiters?
I’d love to tell them to try not to think about whatever news they’re waiting on, but I know how impossible that is for most writers. So instead I’d tell them to get busy. Start a new writing project, take on a writing responsibility, or blog about it if they must–although writers have to be very careful when blogging, because my cousin often lurks in the blogosphere, waiting to surprise them. No matter what those poor writers put in their blogs, when my cousin’s around, they will only ever sound intolerant. And, of course, don’t forget most editors and publishers have computers protected by Ann Oyance’s software. So should they read that blog, the writer’s meaning and tone will again be distorted.
So best not to blog about it at all?
Yes. But, then again, because so many writers have to experience waiting at some point in their writing career, sharing your experience is a good way to reach out to those other writers. After all, a problem shared is a problem solved, so I’m told!
Well, thank you for your time, Pati. It’s been a pleasure talking with you and I feel as if we all know you a little better now. And good luck with your cousin!
Zena, that is fantastic. So true. So very, very true.
Adam B @revhappiness