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Deadline: The final time or moment when something MUST be finished.
There are lots of deadlines in our lives, right? And, if you’re like me, you might even give yourself deadlines. These can be useful, but also stressful. Ugh.
When I was a textbook editor, our fearless leader drilled into our heads that editors and writers must always “meet or beat” deadlines. In other words, there’s a reason the word dead appears before line, as in cross that line and you’re dead, sister.
Now, whenever a deadline is hovering, this mentor’s voice rings in my ears. I picture a deadline as a concrete barrier laced with barbed wire. This explains why, when I was working feverishly on revisions for Buck Fever and a family emergency blew in, requiring a long road trip, I revised in the backseat, which I’d tricked out with lighting and a makeshift desk. No exaggeration. Sure, revising for twenty-four hours in a cramped space while cruising an interstate highway wasn’t much fun, but I met my deadline. And that was rewarding.
Tell me: How do you meet or beat deadlines? Or don’t you? *winks*
Firstly, I try to plan ahead so I'm not in a jam right before a deadline, but unexpected things happen to the best of us and leave us in the lurch. In that case, I become obsessive like you. I eat, sleep, breathe the document until it's finished. And then sleep for a week!
ReplyDeleteI have a terrible time meeting self-imposed deadlines. But if they come from without, I do very well indeed.
ReplyDeleteI actually work best under deadlines. With writing it doesn't seem to matter as much though, probably because I enjoy it so much!
ReplyDeleteI have a day job, so I have to plan way ahead and do a little every day.
ReplyDeleteThere's also the constant juggling of priorities!
Ew. Dead. Line. Never thought about it that way before! Puts a whole new spin on the word. I'm good at meeting deadlines because procrastinating stresses me out WAY more than actually doing the work.
ReplyDeleteI get up early to work. If I can write consistently between 5:30 to 7:30 am, then everything falls into place.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for being organized, Eve. Yet things happen anyway, don't they? No matter how on time we might be. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteWell, out of the two, better that you meet the other guy's deadline, right, Bish? : )
I alway love hearing about how much writers love what they do, Lisa. I feel the same way. And I also understand what you mean about working well under deadlines. They provide structure.
Adding a day job into the mix makes meeting deadlines even more challenging! How do you tell a boss that you need time off to finish edits? That never worked too well for me.
That's how I feel, too, M.G. The idea of missing a deadline is too much stress. Better to just kick into gear and make things happen.
Impressive, Shannon! It makes sense that a good jumping start to the day would pay off. But 5:30? Yikes.
Wow, yes, that's impressive. You are definitely dedicated! I usually meet my deadlines. Probably add a lot to my stress level too. ;o) Mostly, I try to make priorities and get the most important things done first!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Carol--Outlining priorities does make the process of going for that deadline a little more do-able. Thanks for commenting. : )
ReplyDeleteIt seems the only way I can work is if I have a deadline. That said, I think I do my best work when I'm racing against a certain date.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish that was true for me, J.L. I'm envious! : )
ReplyDeleteGood for you being so organized. Congratulations on meeting your deadline! My deadlines for now, are the ones I create. I do my best to try to meet them, sometimes being creative, like you in meeting them. Love the backseat deadline. :)
ReplyDeleteYou ARE determined! That's great. I work best with deadlines, otherwise I drag a project on and on and on.....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maeve! That backseat deadline was tough at the time, but now it makes a great story, at least.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Julie--I need that deadline to give me some perspective. : )
Oh wow. I don't think I'd be able to do what you did. I get dizzy just reading a text message when I'm in a moving vehicle. Congratulations for making the deadline though!
ReplyDeletenutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
So far I've never missed a deadline. I lose sleep for deadlines. It's a terrible feeling, but I do it anyway.
ReplyDeleteI thought the car ick feeling might be a problem, Nutschell, but happily it wasn't. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteAwesome that you've never missed a deadline, Medeia, but losing sleep is tough. Writing and revising without enough sleep is REALLY tough. Ugh.