Every week I have a new Gazette column due. The column needs to be in at about 10 AM on Tuesdays. I choose the book well ahead of time and always know what I'm going to write about. The actual writing, however, doesn't begin until about 5:30 AM on Tuesday...plenty of time to get it done before the kids wake up, but still cutting the deadline pretty close.
I don't recommend this method (I call it "The Procrastination Method") for your own deadlines. It requires a lot of coffee and a deep-sleeping spouse. However, I always get the column in by deadline and THAT is the point of this post.
If you think you won't get your next scene, chapter or book done ever, then maybe you should set yourself a deadline, or even a series of deadlines (Chapter One is due 7-1, Chapter 7-15, etc.) and then ask someone (preferably someone mean) to hold you to it. It's a wonder what a little pressure can do.
5 comments:
Never put off until tomorrow what you can put off until the day after tomorrow.
RICK: Well said, my friend. Well said.
Setting some deadlines for myself this summer maybe be just what I need! Thanks!
It's worked beautifully for me in the past. And then other times, deadlines have made me quit in defiance.
Writers have perfected procrastination to an art form. In fact, I think--in our case--it may have its own DNA....
Good advice. Good luck!
~Deb
www.debstover.com
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