with Karen M Davis
Writing to a deadline can be very scary indeed. Some people
thrive on pressure but I'm not one of them. I don't like pressure at all and if
I get behind in my writing schedule I worry... about everything. I can become
overwhelmed with the task ahead of me and that's not a good thing - for me, or
anyone.
So to avoid pressure I try to be organised; to allow myself
plenty of time for the unexpected so hopefully there's no need for panic as the deadline
draws closer. Of course this is easier said than done. Life has a habit of
getting in the way. We have to deal with kids, family, housework,
work and social commitments, sickness, computer meltdowns, and the list goes
on.
I remember Belinda Alexandra, a very successful author, once
said to me that there is a huge difference between just "playing around "with
your book and hoping it gets published, to actually being published, and then wearing
the expectation to produce another work of art as good, or hopefully better,
than the last - and all in a set time frame.
I could relate to her words as I'd just signed a two-book
deal with Simon and Schuster. Sinister
Intent, my first novel, had taken me over four years of "playing
around" to write, and the only pressure to complete it was of my own doing.
Now I was contracted and my second novel, Deadly
Obsession, was due in nine months. The pressure was on and I felt it...
I wrote day and night constantly feeling guilty that I was neglecting my family,
while worrying I wouldn't finish on time and that it wouldn't be good enough.
As it turned out I had to ask for a month extension, which
was no problem for them, and then it was done... Big sigh of relief.
So what did I learn from that experience? Well I suppose I
learned to just keep writing. Finish one story and start the next so I have a
head start.
I am currently writing my third crime fiction novel and my
deadline is June. Since this is the third in the series of "Lexie Rogers
books" many of the characters are the same, therefore I'm having to
constantly read over my first two books, checking details to ensure continuity.
This is time consuming so I'm trying to allot a minimum of so many hours "writing
time" a day. Some days it might be
one hour, others four, depending on other commitments. I don't count words as many
writers do because I'm not always writing, sometimes I'm researching, revising,
editing. School holidays has hindered my schedule. As much as I love my family I find it hard to
concentrate with a house full of teenagers and a husband off work, so February
is going to be busy. I want to be well and truly in front of my deadline to
avoid last minute panic.
Do you work well under pressure, or are you more like me and
need plenty of time to get it just right?
I love to love chocolateI love to learn new things
I love to laugh at anything
I am so with you on this, Karen. Writing to deadline is a whole new ballgame. I find it does weird things to my creativity and I get really het up about word count, whether the book will end up too short etc. The cure I'm using right now is to pretend that there is no deadline. Seems to be working... mostly.
ReplyDeleteHi Cathryn, thanks for dropping in. It's interesting how we all have different ways of handling things isn't it? I worry about word count also... too long, too short. I also worry about descriptions - is there too much or too little. I'll try your method of pretending there is no deadline and see how I go...
DeleteScrivener is apparently great for those writing a series, you can keep all those character and research details at your fingertips. I have yet to master it I'm afraid. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie, thanks for that piece of information. I have never heard of Scrivener but I will certainly look into it.
DeleteScrivener would be excellent for authors writing a series. I have friends who swear by it. I've bought it, but haven't got the time to try to work it out.
DeleteI can identify with this, Karen. When I have any sort of a deadline I keep saying to myself that I'll be organised enough to meet it, but inevitably I have that last minute rush happening (together with all the associated pressure!). I must admit, though, that for me, pressure does bring results.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next Lexie Rogers book.
Hi Marilyn, I'm looking forward to finishing the next Lexie Rogers book... You sound like one of those people who are organised and also also thrive on pressure. And if it works for you that's great. I suppose when you really have to get something done it does make you get to it.
DeleteYou're spot on with everything, Karen. I learned long ago that if I'm given a deadline that far, far away, I tend to do other things and then the deadline approaches and the pressure's on. If I then concentrate on what needs doing I'm fine with the rush and get it all done. It's when life interferes and interrupts that the panic sets in.
ReplyDeleteExactly Enisa, and hello there. Life is clearly the problem... the interference side of life that is. Sometimes too much time is a bad thing because you get a false sense of security - that you have heaps of time. But then it creeps up on you and panic stations...Not sure what the solution is besides just keeping going. On days when I get overwhelmed or think I'm getting nowhere my husbands says to me: just keep plodding away, what else can you do? True. Also easy for him to say...
DeleteI love your post, Karen, and can relate to your deadline anxiety 100%! I've often been a last minute person - not good, really, as it creates more stresses - but I do get the job done. But you do need to allow time for 'life' to get in the way, obviously... I still use the work-reward thing, and it works for me. If I work on a task for so many hours that day, then I can watch a movie that night, or blissfully read a book, guilt free. I love that idea that something wonderful is waiting for me, especially if the task is terrible like cleaning the oven, or another equally ghastly job. But if it is writing, then it often turns into being rather wonderful to do anyway. So by the end of the day it's win/win. My problem is just getting started: I am a Big Procrastinator. But once I'm 'in', I'm good!
ReplyDeleteHi Malvina, what a great comment. I love your idea of work-reward. I am always feeling guilty about something - even when its just, I should have cleaned the bathroom instead of getting tied up with writing guilt. I will try that to alleviate unnecessary guilt and also have something to look forward to. It's always great to have something to look forward to isn't it? I'm not really a procrastinator, unless there is something I really don't want to do. But I know if I start to write and get caught up in it nothing else gets done; no dinner, no washing etc which leads to more guilt. I will definitely give your method a try.
DeleteHi Karen. I quite like a deadline (like Marilyn it makes me do it rather than faffing about) but so far they are ones I have put on myself so really they don't have quite the same impact as a publisher based one. I think you have the right attitude towards it which means you are doing it the right way for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Cassandra, thanks for your comment. A publishing deadline is probably a bit more pressure than self imposed one, but I still think its necessary to give yourself a deadline so the task gets done. As you say a deadline makes you do it. When I was writing Sinister Intent I didn't give myself a deadline, I was just plodding away whenever I had time. Then a friend of my mothers and accomplished author, Anne Rennie, asked me when my manuscript would be finished. I of course said that I had no idea and she scolded me; told me I must give myself a deadline so it would get done. I did this and although I went over my own deadline by about a month, it did help motivate me. And I did get it done.
DeleteGreat topic!!
ReplyDeleteI do work ok under pressure, BUT I don't like doing so (does that make sense?) Have always felt the reality to shove other commitments/family/issues aside to focus on myself very very hard. BUT I'm learning to do that more and more and not feel extremely guilty. I am going to make more commitment to my writing endeavours in 2016.
I love your series BTW Karen :)
Hi Marianne, thank you for your comment and I'm very glad you enjoyed my first two Lexie books. It's always a thrill to hear someone likes your work. I'm like you. I do work ok under pressure but don't like the worry and panic that comes with it. I also feel very guilty doing anything for myself - it must be a woman thing??? I have promised myself to be more regimented with my writing time this year also. Have allotted time spots for different things. I often have friends and family calling, dropping in, or asking me to do things because "I can write any time." Though we can't write anytime because other things have to be done at other times. So again, like you, I'm going to be firmer with my commitment to writing in 2016.
DeleteDeadlines! I hate them. LOL The more pressure I feel to write, the less likely I am to do it. It sucks all the fun out of writing for me...and atm writing is all about fun. I'm not published yet so I have that luxury. I have found though that with my contest entries that being organized (as you mentioned) has really helped take the pressure and anxiety out of deadlines. Oh! And also...I tend to use the word 'goal' (not to be confused with gaol--LOL) instead of 'deadline'. That little word change makes it feel a whole lot less like work or punishment.
ReplyDeleteHi Dee, I like your take on how two little letters can make all the difference in a word - Goal to Gaol. Although I like the American way of spelling Jail. It has more punch or something... Anyway, getting off the subject. As you say being organised helps with any deadline. A contest deadline is still pressure, especially if you are entering them on a regular basis... then you have multiple deadlines... horror. I mean goals!
DeleteHi Karen, I have mixed feelings about deadlines. I tend to procrastinate for the first half of the pre-deadline period. During this time, I'm thinking about my writing "in the background". This is when creative juices seem to flow best for me. I actively write during the second half of the pre-deadline period, but always try to finish early enough to allow time for editing and rewriting. I hate leaving things to the last minute. It's too stressful.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, you sound like me in the way you don't like leaving things to the last minute because it creates too much stress. If I have too much time I can procrastinate also but then I worry about having enough time to finish the task. I'm still searching for the perfect balance. Sounds like you have a pretty good system.
DeleteHi Karen, I also loved your post.I totally agree. Writing a series gives you a kick in the butt and encourages you to move on to the next book. Most of my resent career years were spent as an event organizer...so deadlines are not new to me.The thing that gets me pulling out clumps of hair is editing. My first book is undergoing an edit with a professional editor, and has taken an age. She is extremely good at what she does and highly acclaimed, there in is the problem shes also very very busy. I must say so far the wait has been validated by the excellent results.I wanted perfection and she is a perfectionist, however my question is how long do you think a substantive edit should take...any one have any ideas.
ReplyDeleteHi Sian, yes editing can be challenging. Although I must say I like editing before it goes to a professionals because the hardest work (as far as I'm concerned) is writing the content. Once you have that you can only improve on it - hopefully. My first book had a few professional edits (by free lance editors) who I paid, before being sent to the publishers as my Literary agent wanted it as perfect as it could be. I think each of these took no longer than two months. And I think that was about the turn around (2-3 months) when the publishers did the edits before sending them back to me. Every editor has different views as well. I took the view that they know more than me so I will go with what they say, but I also learnt to stick with my instincts about what would and wouldn't work for me. I'm not sure how long your editor has had your work but if its dragging on I think I would chase it up. Or, just start writing your next one so you keep the writing juices going. I hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, I actuality feel a lot better now.You don't know how pleased I was to here that two months in edit is not unusual. My editor is highly qualified and top at her game, for that I count myself as extremely lucky.
ReplyDeleteAs you advise I am well along with book two, from here on in I shall bury my head and learn some patience.
Thank you once again for your help. I have only just stumbled across your blog and now that I have found my way around I shall be back for more reading.
Great to hear you enjoy our blog, Sian. :) Spread the word!
Delete