Alternatives to Nervously Gnawing Off an Arm

Those I Have Deemed Befitting will begin reading Eighth Grade Bites today. I'm nervous as all get out. Not that I'm worrying they won't like it--in fact, I'm pretty positive they'll all hate it, throw it at my feet and scream, "WHY DO YOU EVEN TRY??!" But then, I'm always like that when my readers are reading.

It's a good idea to find something else to do while you wait for your readers to get back to you with their thoughts on your manuscript. I thought we'd examine the top three.

1. Write something else (preferably something completely unrelated to what Those You Have Deemed Befitting are reading): It's good advice. Heck, I'd go ahead and stamp "great" on its forehead. But do I take this advice? No. Well...I try to. But my brain sneaks in little things that remind me of (in this case) Vlad and then it's all down hill.

2. Read something else: Another great idea. And I've tried. Last night I immersed myself in a book, hoping to forget about Vlad and readers and publishing (oh my!), but while my eyes are trying to drag my imagination and me into a delightful place, my imagination is clinging to the door jamb and staring at my Inbox. With the use of a little duct tape, I may manage to get him to sit still for a bit today.

3. Do something else (anything else): Probably the best advice yet. And you can be sure that, by taking this advice, your house will become extremely clean. All the laundry will be done and put away. Heck, you might even have time for a bubblebath (an evil bubblebath). Speaking of which, you'll need a duckie. (Personally, my duckie is black and has his beak pierced...he rocks.)

So go forth, minions! And refuse to gnaw off limbs in stressful times!