What to do with the pressure of deadlines.

[Bianca_Sommerland]

I had some awesome ideas for stories which I shared with my editor when she asked when I'd have something new. Since then I've had three emails from the head editor and two others. I thought the story would take me a week to finish, but the presure is killing my muse.

The deadline is my own fault, I didn't know promo for the books I've already got out would take so much of my time.

So what do you do to keep producing under pressure? I'm at a loss.

 

[sr71plt]

Focus, streamline everything else, and don't flim flam around rather than getting down to doing it (which might include not going to the Internet to chat )

I worked for an international news agency for years. A night shift may seem sleepy, but at a second's notice, someone might be assassinated and the next minute you're busy writing news copy. Focus, streamline everything else, and don't procrastinate.

Also, if you have any choice in the matter, make sure that coming deadlines seem reasonable or renegotiate them.

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

I'm trying not to put it off, but it seems every other idea I have gets more focus than the one I should be working on.

Everything was cool until my original editor quit. The new one's much more involved.


But you're right. I should stop using the internet to sidetrack me. It's just frustrating because the words just won't flow as smooth as they did before anyone expercted me to produce.

Guess I've got to get used to the fact that this is a job. My muse will have to cope.

Thanks, SR.

Focus, streamline everything else, and don't flim flam around rather than getting down to doing it (which might include not going to the Internet to chat )

I worked for an international news agency for years. A night shift may seem sleepy, but at a second's notice, someone might be assassinated and the next minute you're busy writing news copy. Focus, streamline everything else, and don't procrastinate.

Also, if you have any choice in the matter, make sure that coming deadlines seem reasonable or renegotiate them.

 

[Experiencedguy]

Best advice I can give you

Look, on this site, everybody is an 'amatuer author, until proven. So, first, send a PM to those editors, apologize for wasting their time, and explain you didn't really understand what was involved. Then, finish at your own leisure pace. Go over it one more time to make any corrections you wish, and then get an editor. All of the editors will appreciate this much more than just sitting around waiting to hear from you, because they have made an open commitment to you.

Now, as far as working under a real deadline. Sometimes, as a professional author, I would have the deadline moved up on me. I didn't care what it took -- even working 18 to 20 hours a day, 7 days a week. I still gave it my best effort, and finished it 48 hours before due (even if several hundred pages). Then, at about 36 hours, I would give my finished draft to several other professionals in the field and have them read, and then critique the work in a group setting. And, usually incorporate as many of their ideas as possible. Sometimes I would deliver the final product 1/2 hour before the deadline. Bottom line: If you care, you must drop everything else in your life besides eating to meet the deadline. Asking for an extension (just my opinion) because you can't meet the deadline is unacceptable and unprofessional.

 

[squarejohn]

I had some awesome ideas for stories which I shared with my editor when she asked when I'd have something new. Since then I've had three emails from the head editor and two others. I thought the story would take me a week to finish, but the presure is killing my muse.

The deadline is my own fault, I didn't know promo for the books I've already got out would take so much of my time.

So what do you do to keep producing under pressure? I'm at a loss.

Start drinking heavily.

 

[SamScribble]

For the best part of 40 years, I’ve had a friend who only writes when he has a deadline looming. And for almost as long – well, 30 years anyway – I’ve had a friend who never promises what she doesn’t feel she can deliver with days or weeks to spare. Two different people; two different MOs; both work.

As writers, I think we’re often guilty of underestimating how long good prose takes to conceive, write, and polish. I guess the ‘secret’ is to work out what works for you. And then to stick to your plan. As long as editors (and others) think it’s worth waiting, they’ll generally wait for a quite a long time. One of my editors recently told me she needed a story in three days. I said: 'How about three weeks?' She thought about it for a moment. and then said: 'OK. Actually, I'm going on holiday for a few days, so let's say a month from today.' Done.

Don’t allow yourself to be rushed. Unless, of course, you want to be rushed. Some people just need the adrenalin. Not me. Well, not often anyway.

 

[oggbashan]

Stop posting in the Authors' Hangout.

This is a diversionary activity.

Og

 

[Bianca_Sommerland]

Was going to comment sooner, but Ogg's comment got me ducking out and facing my problem. I was doing the grass-is-greener thing. All the stories I had that weren't on deadlines distracted me from the one that was. I finally focused everything I have on the one that my publisher is waiting for.

And I managed to get excited in it again. I've put all my other ideas on the shelf where they belong.

Thank you to everyone who gave some good advice. It's nice to talk to other authors who've been where I am. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Now I'm getting back to work. Talk to you all soon.

Fondest regards,
Bianca