Deadlines. The bane of every writer’s existence. “A necessary evil.” “My nemesis.”
I talked to an author who changed the internal time clock on his computer just so he could have three extra hours, claiming he was writing on the West coast (USA) instead of where his office was (East coast USA).
Writing Without a Deadline (Deadlines Born)
Not everyone, however, is writing under a deadline. How does an unpublished or uncontracted author write without a deadline?
This takes discipline. An unnatural discipline for some creatives. I’ve heard of authors using their friends as accountability partners. Or their spouse (be careful with that technique…) Or an incentive like food or fun.
An indie author (publishing independently) is technically without a deadline. So how do you go about it?
(Feel free to comment below with your methods)
Writing With a Deadline (Deadlines Made)
I’ve read many writers who eschew deadlines or simply ignore them saying that “one cannot rush art.” At the same time, a contractual agreement, with a deadline, is just that: an agreement. You are responsible to meet your obligations. Of course, if there are circumstances that change, most publishers are willing to extend the deadline. But there are limits to that grace period.
At the very least, try not to have a cavalier attitude toward a deadline. Not everyone can be George R. R. Martin who said, “If the novels are still being read in 50 years, no one is ever going to say: ‘What’s great about that sixth book is that he met his deadline!’ It will be about how the whole thing stands up.”
Discipline, planning, situational awareness, fasting from social media, scheduled writing retreats, daily word-count goals, and more are all methods that I’ve had writers tell me about.
What methods do you use to make your deadlines? Feel free to comment below.
Quotes About Deadlines
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” Napolean Hill
“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” Douglas Adams
“Deadlines just aren’t real to me until I’m staring one in the face.” Rick Riordan
“I am one of those people who thrive on deadlines, nothing brings on inspiration more readily than desperation.” Harry Shearer
“Deadlines aren’t bad. They help you organize your time. They help you set priorities. They make you get going when you might not feel like it.” Harvey Mackay
Except for 7 books still with traditional publishers, I am indie now. Deadlines have been hard, but the truth is, my motivation and incentive is the same as it is for traditional publishers: I don’t get paid until I write the book! Being a consistent, professional writer means showing up even when you don’t feel like writing. Sometimes it helps me get in the flow to just write really badly. At least then something is on the page, and it’s much easier to fix bad writing than a blank page. 🙂
Ah, such a good point (having something on the page to fix).
We all have a deadline,
and time cannot be spliced.
We only have one lifetime
to accept the gift of Christ.
It’s best to do it early,
but late will work as well
to see the Gates so Pearly
instead of sulphurous hell,
so check your heart, I do implore,
is your surrender real?
You do not want a shut-fast door
stronger than the strongest steel
facing you upon your death,
that would have opened with a breath.
That is THE deadline, all right! A good reminder why we write — to help others meet their deadline!
Kelsey, it’s the only reason I write.
I just wish I could trick myself into believing self-imposed deadlines. I’ve tried to write ahead of the deadline since hearing Bob Hostetler describe his low-stress process to get writing done ahead of time. But I always feel the quality of whatever I produce is mediocre without the stress of a looming deadline. I know, I know, half-as-good without a heart attack is better than stellar with a stroke. But is it, really? Because if it’s the last thing I write, I’d rather go for stellar . . .
I will confess to a deep seated (neurotic?) psychological problem. I cannot, ever, be late (even if I try hard to be). This includes being insanely early for flights, (I have only missed one flight out of hundreds, and it wasn’t my fault) dates, zoom calls, webinars, face to face meetings, writing deadlines, church, social events, doctor’s appointments, interviews, anything related to time. For my last book, I got the required draft to the publisher on the deadline date, the latest I have ever been. So, while I sympathize with those who struggle with meeting deadlines, I also envy them, because I would love to just once experience the terror and joy of being late.
Sy, this made me laugh out loud. Keep being you. 😄
It’s interesting how different writers deal with deadlines. I’ve tried the daily goal method myself, but sometimes online games is more of a distraction than social media. Discipline is exactly what determines who gets it done and who procrastinates.
For me, a deadline is great. Without a deadline, I can be so lazy. I get lost in research or playing solitaire. haha!
What can help even an indie author is to get into a critique group. I have to have something ready for my group to read and critique once a month.
I also host a Zoom for The Scribbling Women once a week where we meet and write. We keep our videos on and we mute ourselves. And we write for 3 hours. It’s my dedicated, set aside, sacred writing time. I get more done on Tuesday nights than I do all week (unless I’m actually on deadline.)
There’s all different ways to get our writing done. We just need to figure out what works for us.
Deadlines motivate me. Even self-imposed ones.
I want publishers to consider me a good investment, turning in the best work I can within the time frame I agreed to. The only time I asked for an extension was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was going through chemo. I see it as my word is my bond. That’s just me. Without a deadline, well… things just don’t get done.
Does someone’s level of respect for deadlines correlate to their desire for others to think well of them? I don’t think I ever missed a deadline at school, because I would have died inside if I’d let any of my teachers down. That third- party accountability from someone in a position of authority was really motivating. I’m not sure to what extent that’s a good thing, but it’s how I roll.
Now, as a yet-unpublished author, I haven’t bothered trying to fool myself with artifical deadlines, but I have an equally compelling strategy for getting writing done — writing IS my self- indulgent fun! I challenge any of you to surround yourself with piles of dirty dishes, toys, and laundry that you’re responsible for, and see whether writing doesn’t suddenly hold a new appeal! 😉
Steve, then I was writing my dissertation, I set an oven timer for 45 minute, 45 minutes, and 30 minutes, having promised myself I would write for 2 hours a day. If someone came up and talked to me, I would turn off the timer because chatting was not writing. I wrote every day and completed a 400-page dissertation (and defended it successfully) in 12 months. My peers took three years to write and defend their dissertations. When I am writing today, I make a commitment to write every day, with a goal of 1,000-3,000 words. I don’t always make it, but in the last two years I have written five 110,000-word novels. I praise the Lord for His gift of writing and consider writing my ministry for Him.
Having a lot of fun reading through everyone’s comments!
Anyone else do a weekly goal? When I was younger, I would set a goal of writing one chapter every week, and I recently picked it up again. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Would like to pick up the rate at some point because it’s not very feasible for actually trying to get published, but as a busy college student, it has made me more productive than other methods of deadlines/goals.
Indie authors have deadlines too! That Amazon preorder looms like a beast, and we have editors on the calendar, same as a traditionally published author. We might actually have more deadlines than traditionally published authors, seeing we are the project managers for the whole shebang.
For me, the key to managing deadlines as an author is in the setting of them. I think through “life” and what it could well throw at me during those particular months on the calendar, planned vacations, kids needs, etc. in other words, the whole of what very well might happen and set deadlines accordingly. The key is to be brutally honest with myself and not plan for the “pie in the sky” scenario. If I’m honest with myself, I usually set realistic deadlines and meet them without stress.
Encouraging, truthful post, thank you, Steve! It’s about Ownership.
Deadlines make me work. Without a deadline, be it at the day job or writing, work doesn’t get done. Trust me on that. Even though I’m indie, I set deadlines for myself. But, as an indie, if a family crisis or illness pops up, I’m not finding myself under the duress of writing while feeling terrible or writing from the side of a hospital bed.