Today I'd like to welcome Helen Lacey to the blog!
***
How To Handle Deadlines : Writing Under
Pressure
I have to admit I actually enjoy deadlines.
It’s a buzz getting things in on time. If I make a commitment to get something
to my editor on a certain date I will always endeavour to meet that obligation.
Of course, it’s not always easy or smooth sailing. Things often crop up –
family and other work etc. can easily derail plans and corrode much needed
concentration. One trick, I’ve discovered, in all aspects of writing, whether
it’s at the start of a project or pushing to finish revisions or edits, is to
maintain a solid work/life balance.
Prior to working as a full time author I
had a career as a retail manager for a department store and I lived and
breathed deadlines. Although I didn’t realize it at the time this job put me in
a good position to handle the deadlines I get now. I’ve known other writers who
work a day job and meet commitments and deadlines without a hitch, but when it
comes to the writing work, things often fall apart. Many years ago a prominent
Mills & Boon author gave me an important piece of advice – protect the work. This is particularly
significant when handling deadlines and the pressure that comes with it.

Helen around the web:
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Strong. Sensible. Dependable. That was Evie Dunn's type.
Certainly not young, fearless gorgeous
firefighter Scott Jones. She knew the wisest course was to keep her distance,
but she couldn't resist the allure of a holiday fling. Now the widowed single
mom found herself with an unexpected post-Christmas gift—she was having Scott's
baby!
Scott came to Crystal Point to see his sister tie the knot, not fall for the alluring owner of the town's oceanfront B and B. He knew he was all wrong for Evie, but he would do anything to win her heart and build the family he'd always wanted. All he had to do was persuade Evie to take the biggest risk of her life…on love.
***Scott came to Crystal Point to see his sister tie the knot, not fall for the alluring owner of the town's oceanfront B and B. He knew he was all wrong for Evie, but he would do anything to win her heart and build the family he'd always wanted. All he had to do was persuade Evie to take the biggest risk of her life…on love.
Now, THAT's an organized approach! I'll have to keep that in mind for when I actually have deadlines! :) How, about you, do you like writing for a deadline? :)
That's good advice, Helen. Thank you. Great to see you again, congratulations on the new release.
ReplyDeleteHi Jemi, just found your blog. Will be back again...
It's a great tip to take deadlines seriously. I'm like you...I do enjoy deadlines because they provide a sense of structure for my writing.
ReplyDeleteI work better with a deadline so understand the motivation it provides.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good way for doing this, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Maria - lovely to see you here. Thanks for dropping by. Jemma does have a fab blog :)
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth - always great to meet someone who likes deadlines too. And you're exactly right about them giving structure to the work. Thanks for commenting :)
ReplyDeleteHi Maria - nice to meet you! :)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - I bet they do! I hope to find out one day :)
Alex - maybe that's why I like NaNo so much! :P
Jeff - it is a great system, isn't it? :)
Helen - great post! :)
Hi Alex - yes, motivation is exactly the right way to describe it. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeff - happy to share anything that might be helpful. Writing itself is a solitary gig - the business of writing is something all authors have in common :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jemi - great to be here!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the advice! I created a revision plan for my last novel to meet a submission deadline--and it worked! I think I need to apply this concept to the novel that I'm drafting. I get busy with life and the daily drafting goes out the window.
ReplyDeleteLovely to meet you Helen Lacey! I love how sparks are already flying between Evie and Scott just by reading the blurb!! Yay!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
greetings to lady Helen!
ReplyDeletegood tip although I find I do my best writing under pressure...sigh
ReplyDeleteHi Anita - a daily plan is a great idea. Even though I am a pantser I aim for a certain wordcount a day -and again this is dependant on what 'external' stuff is happening. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteHi there Kitty - nice to meet you too. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Dezmond - thanks for dropping by today :)
ReplyDeleteHi Aubrey - I know several authors who just love working under pressure and put out several books a year - everyone has to find what 'works' for them and go with it. Thanks for stopping by. :)
ReplyDeleteAnita - I don't generally follow plans either - or at least written ones. I do have flexible ones in my head :)
ReplyDeleteOld Kitty - I love how those sparks fly too! :)
Dezzy - she's a nice lady!
Aubrey - I'm wondering if that's why I love NaNo so much :)
Real or self-imposed, I need deadlines. I've found that over the years I've delivered work faster by pacing myself at both my day job and at home with my writing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release and thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
Hi Medeia - I'm with you on deadlines making the work faster. Before I was published I would use contests as a good way of keeping motivated to make deadlines dates.
ReplyDeleteThis is great advice and it came at a good time for me. I have some edits to do and a busy month ahead. Now I will use your advice to help me make the month a bit more organized and less stressful.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release of your book! Also, thanks so much for the giveway.
~Jess
Medeia - I've never really thought about creating my own deadlines - although I do make flexible goals - which is kinda the same... :)
ReplyDeleteJess - it's a very good plan to divvy up the work with the calendar - hope it helps you!
Hi Jess - good luck with your edit. Being organized is vital I think, to meeting deadlines. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteWithout a deadline, it's easy to let decisions about word choices absorb a lot of extra time. I like to use a timer to keep myself moving along.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win the book and I'm not sure how you will let people know?
Hi Cathy - the idea of a timer is a great idea. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteCathy - a timer is a great idea! It's so easy to get absorbed! :) We'll let the winner know via email as long as we can access it through your profile! If not, I'll post it here! :)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. I love deadlines. They make me focus, which I often have trouble doing. I also love writing to word limits. That is such a great way to force me to choose my words carefully.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, you two.
Very exciting!
ReplyDelete(I'm secretly hoping that, someday, I will have a deadline.)
Lee - you're welcome! I like to write for word counts too - probably why I love NaNo :)
ReplyDeleteJack - me too! Although it's not such a secret... :)
Hi C.Lee - I too ove to write to a specific daily wordcount and usually aim for 1k a day - extra is great, less means I have ti write more next session. THanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Jack - hope you get a deadline soon. Before I was published I used to use contests deadlines to keep me on track. In fact, it was through too separate contests that I signed with my agent and got me past the slush pile and onto my editors desk - contests are great for working to a deadline. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love deadlines too. They keep me focused otherwise I'd drift along forever without getting anything done.
ReplyDeleteLynda - I do like the pressure of NaNo, so I think I'll work well with deadlines too :)
ReplyDeleteI need to get back to being organized with how I will spend time and make deadlines. Sometimes life gets crazy and before you know it you wake up behind the eight ball. I found I need to be crazy organized and that means planning ahead well in advance.
ReplyDeleteI really, really like this. Creating an action plan that balances not just the work you need that needs to be done, but all aspects of your life is not only easier to stick with (it satisfies desires of self-care), but gets the job done!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda - I agree - I get distracted so easily that I need deadlines to keep my focus.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen - planning ahead always works for me. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn - I think the trick is working out balance. Thanks for commenting, you're in the draw :)
ReplyDeleteHi Helen, Hello Jemi!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice on writing under pressure! But it does get the work done on time, though!
Congratulations on your release of MARRIAGE UNDER THE MISTLETOE, Helen!
Nas
Stephen - being organized really helps! I know exactly what you mean about being behind the 8 ball!
ReplyDeleteLynn - so true. Keeping that balance make everything so much better!
Nas - hi! It's a great post :)
What wonderful advice! I hadn't thought about actually blocking things out like that, but it makes sense because things do come up, and the thought of being late on a deadline is terrifying. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Nas - it's great to be here. Thanks so much for your congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHi Caryn - thanks for dropping by. Things do crop up, absolutely - the key is balance. You're in the draw :)
ReplyDeleteCaryn - terrifying is the perfect word!! I hate missing deadlines of any kind :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! Thanks so much, Jemi! ~ Jess
ReplyDeletehttp://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com
Jess - you're so very welcome - enjoy!! :)
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