Since the birth of our son there have been times in the last four months that I’m not even sure what month it is, let alone day of the week. For the first time in my life, I feel an acute awareness of the finite number of hours in a day. Because as they say: time is the only thing (besides real estate) we can’t make more of.When undergoing major life changes and trying to keep up with your writing, deadlines become even more important. A missed deadline can often be like a multi-car collision on the motorway sending everything else on the docket careening into a free fall.
Take for example the book I was trying to finish earlier this year on hip hop dance. Much to my delight, I managed to get the manuscript in before my delivery date and nothing from the editor on revisions as I headed into the maternity ward. Then on one of the afternoons that I woke from the new mother haze to reconnect with the outside world online, I found an email requesting additional changes. The new deadline: 30 days to make the revisions and resubmit. Juggling my work, social, and family life meant that this request seemed insurmountable.
First I took small steps. I took an hour one day to review the sections the editor suggested rewriting in order to see what I was up against. The following revision sessions were spread out over the course of ensuing weeks. I developed a rhythm. Each time I sat down to write, I wouldn’t get up unless I had written at least 1,000 words. Since I had been working on this particular project for a number of years, this was easier to do now than when I started because I wasn’t spending hours on research. I still had a problem: not enough hours in the day or night to get to the end.
The deadline came and went, and unfortunately, I didn’t make it. I had to now enlist the willing support of my husband – who was also trying to complete a major project, his university degree via an online course. Unused to asking for help, I was humbled to admit I needed two hours on a Saturday afternoon to get another part of the work done on the manuscript. And so it went. Finally, two weeks past the deadline, I hit the SEND button, emailing the revised manuscript back to the editor.
It may seem odd that I’m confessing I didn’t manage to make my own rule: meeting deadlines. I share this story to demonstrate the other rule I’m now living by: don’t let missed deadlines be a reason not to chip away at your projects so that you can get them in when they are finished. The missed hours of sleep and afternoons at the desk will be worth it when you are holding your book, article, or showing off your online piece to the praise of friends or family and, of course, your next editor or agent.
Life is always a constant juggle (she says typing this entry while rocking the baby with her left hand). We have to decide what is most important to us, realizing this can change at various stages. If writing is one of your cornerstones, then decide before the major change, to keep at it. And you will find minutes, hours or, if you’re lucky enough, days to squeeze it in. It may feel for a time that you are back in the late-night cram sessions of university days. Then as now, you’ll feel the value of the goal you’re pursuing.
Share with us what techniques you’ve found most successful for juggling it all. Best of luck and let us know how you fare on your journey.
Best wishes,
Mohana (Reading & Writing Development Director)
Mohana Rajakumar on January 22, 2011
This post has certainly generated some interesting discussion. Clearly, without deadlines in life in general - not just writing ones - we may have a much harder time organizing our lives.
As my husband says to my groans, "Can we do it tomorrow?" may mean that it never gets done.
While I respect what you're saying Xean, I suppose your philosophy about writing depends on what you hope to gain from it. While the artistic satisfaction is fulfilling, for most people who would like to write for a living or at least on the side, there has to be more discipline. So most writers would disagree that it is an organic thing that doesn't bend to rules. Writing is in fact our "job" and that doesn't take any fun out of it. Rather the opposite because we don't give ourselves loopholes not to get it done.
As Kushti says, it does get easier with time and practice to produce consistent work.
But as Vengu and Xean point out, we are only human, and so there are times when we won't be in there when we should. That doesn't mean we should use that as an excuse to give up. In most cases, you'll get at least one extension if you ask far enough in advance (not with contests, this is for agreed upon work).
Good luck Flugel with both those contests. Contests are a great way to get noticed by agents. And, as you've mentioned, practice getting it in on time!
John Aston on January 21, 2011
“I love deadlines; I love the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”
Douglas Adams.
David McDougall on January 21, 2011
Angry Robot, a Science-Fiction publisher and former Harper Collins department, are opening their doors to unsolicited manuscripts during March. So I'm trying to finish my manuscript in order to submit it. I'm also trying to finish my short story for the competition for W&A.
It'll be close.
Venkatesh Govindarajan on January 20, 2011
To me, your missed deadline, was a personal blessing.
Because, due to your missed deadline, I got to read such an interesting piece and some valuable advice and guidance, on how to persevere at writing, even though, I am only an amatuer and occasional practitioner of the art.
Xean . on January 20, 2011
Mohana, I entirely support your advice not to let deadlines deter writers from completing a project. It is entirely logical for someone interested in doing things right; to prepare for sacrifice and hardship in accomplishing the quested goal, regardless what career they’re in. However, as you well know, there are limits to human capabilities. Humans have physical and psychological constraints that are necessary for healthy function. Because of lifestyle, we mostly disregard them at our own peril, when they should be respected instead. I believe one of the reasons that differentiate single novel authors from multi-book ones is that they chose to take writing in a less stressful sense; not as an occupation, but more as a way of life. I see no reason why this cannot operate just as well for multi-novel authors, when combined with their methods and strengths. A job is something you are compelled to do, whether by choice or need. Writing should be more than just a job. Writing is freedom, when freedom is at heart.
Xean
1/20/2011