Deadlines

This September I will be attending my first ever writers conference. So if you happen to be in Utah on the weekend of September 16-17th I would love it if you came so we can chat!

As I noted on Saturday, I created a new Life List. My first goal was to re-write/edit at least five and a half pages a day. The reason I choose this amount was so that I could be finished with the first edit in time for the writers conference. I think it will be more enriching to have at least a sensible story in hand.

You know what I've discovered? I work well under a deadline. Having something to look forward to, and wanting to show something for it, it's really pushed me. There will be no more I can't do it posts, although I won't go so far as to say I won't complain. Sometimes editing hurts.

I kinda feel like I'm about to go to my first day of school. I've always loved writing, but I've never focused on it like I am now. I know I've talked about this a lot but it really has changed me.

Do deadlines work for you? What are you looking forward too?

Comments

Sarah Pearson said…
I work well to deadlines but only if they're set by someone else, otherwise I tend to move the goalposts :)
July 25, 2011 at 7:24 AM
cherie said…
Goodluck! Yes, sometimes goals are good cause they can motivate us into working. Wish I could go to the conference but it's not possible for me at this time. Maybe next year when I'm more prepared and ready for it. ;) Have fun writing/editing!
July 25, 2011 at 7:56 AM
Angela V. Cook said…
I HAVE to use schedules/deadlines/goals (for writing and editing). I try to keep them small and managable, so I don't get discouraged. Sometimes I get a little behind, because some chapters need more work than others, but I try to stick to it.
July 25, 2011 at 8:12 AM
Ava Jae said…
I thrive off of deadlines and goals. I really don't think I'd get much done without them. When I don't organize my time and prioritize what I need to get done...I procrastinate. Then I feel guilty for procrastinating.

Goals and deadlines prevent that. :)

Good luck! Keep to it!
July 25, 2011 at 8:27 AM
Krista said…
I am with Sarah. It doesn't work for me unless it is someone elses deadline. I am still trying to find some sort of structure that works for me.
July 25, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Mark Noce said…
Good luck with your conference, it's always a great experience:)
July 25, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Emily Moir said…
Deadlines definitely help me. I tend to put things off without them. Posting a page on my blog for my book has made me actually get my butt in gear as well. No point promoting a book I don't have finished.
July 25, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Isabelle Thornton said…
Deadlines work for me but i hate them because i always do things at the last minute or not fast enough...I am so busy.
I am so exited for you!! You will have a blast!
July 25, 2011 at 2:04 PM
V said…
Deadlines work for me mostly but I hate it. It makes me feel so tensed. And how many times will you edit your book? lol. Just kidding. It's great that you're keeping a deadline. It'll stop you from feeling lazy and 5 pages a day is not bad. :)
Cheers!
July 25, 2011 at 2:30 PM
Rachel Cotterill said…
I love deadlines - but they have to be real. Self-imposed targets don't have the same impact for me.
July 25, 2011 at 2:47 PM
Bethany C. said…
I thrive on deadlines, too. Which bugs the heck out of me, but I'm a planner, so it seems everything in my life has a time line--that goes for books and edits, too.

ENJOY the conference. I was terrified when I went to the first one. I felt like I was a kid playing dress-up...trying to convince these people I was a "writer"...ended up meeting some awesome writers/agents. Just soak it all in--and be yourself!!
July 25, 2011 at 3:24 PM
miclowery said…
I Hope you enjoy the conference. I attended my first writers' conference in Huntsville, AL a few days ago and it was an awesome experience. I made new friends, learned lots in the various workshops, and came away recharged and highly motivated. I think your setting a deadline for your editing is a great idea and I wish you luck. I've edited/reworked my own manuscript many times over the past several months and appreciate what a sometimes painful but always vitally important process it is.
I enjoy your blog. Mine is similar at www.michelle-lowery-combs.blogspot.com
July 25, 2011 at 3:42 PM
Sarah said…
I love deadlines, and that's how I organize my worklife. I always meet them, even if it involves a little stress and suffering. As a terrible procrastinator, I need them to get things done!
July 25, 2011 at 4:14 PM
Krista M said…
Deadlines work for me. :) I'm 43,680 words into finishing a 50,000 word novel in 31 days, meaning the whole month of July. If I don't have a deadline, things will rarely get done.

I'd love to go to a writer's conference and there's one in St. Louis in September I'd like to go to, but I don't have the money or a car to drive there. Darn. Have fun at yours! You'll have to tell us all about it.
July 25, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Anita Grace Howard said…
I used to have self-imposed deadlines all the time. Lately I've slacked off and don't have much to show for it. I think I need to get back on the deadline wagon. It really did work wonders for my motivation. Great post, and congrats for finding your rhythm!
July 25, 2011 at 6:42 PM
Olga said…
I deeply and truly hate deadlines. They don't help. They just make me nervous. Enjoy the conference!
July 25, 2011 at 6:58 PM
Laura Josephsen said…
Writing deadlines seem to be different from any other deadline for me. They only work well with me during NaNoWriMo or sometimes if my friends and I are all doing a different writing challenge together.

Now, editing/revising deadlines...THOSE I can do much more easily.
July 26, 2011 at 12:33 AM
Christa said…
Yes, this is a great habit to get into. And so important. You will need it in your future as a published author:)
July 28, 2011 at 6:53 AM
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