Wishing all of our friends and readers a very special and meaningful Memorial Day, and offering our deepest gratitude to those who have served our country and given their lives that we might enjoy the freedoms we are so privileged to enjoy. May we never forget the sacrifices they and their families have made.
I am on a deadline crunch this month, with my first draft due to my editor on May 31. Ack! That’s this coming Saturday! I’m sure my husband would tell you it’s a good thing I only write one book a year (or very rarely two) because deadline time around our house is usually not a very pleasant experience. Least of all for my hubby. Poor guy! (Look at him! Isn’t he a keeper?)
As a seat-of-the-pants writer, I tend to need to rewrite the first half of every book umpteen times to reflect the ways my characters have changed and grown as I’ve gotten to know them. I may have spent the better part of a year researching and developing characters, but until the words start piling up, it doesn’t appear I’m making progress. Once I reach the one-month countdown, the writing comes easier and I can crank out two thousand words a day, twice my normal output.
Unfortunately, that can only happen if I keep my tail in this chair and write. Long hours. Every single day. Until the book is done. And that means saying no to so many things. I’d like to think I’ve gotten better at this as I’ve gotten older, but instead, it seems the older I get, the harder it is to say no, and the more precious the things I need to say no to. When May 1 hit, I had only two (count ’em, 2!) events on the entire month’s calendar (not counting church on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings, and a haircut, which I planned to combine with my usual weekly visit to see my mom.) I’d warned my sisters and brother that I probably wouldn’t make it to see our mom quite as often this month. I put off several lunches with friends, including a birthday celebration (MY birthday!) until after June 1. I said no to a ton of requests to write endorsements or reviews, or to judge contests, or other publishing-related requests.
And still… STILL, the calendar somehow filled up. Not all the interruptions were bad. In fact, most of them were lovely. My daughters surprised me and drove 9 hours to spend Mother’s Day with me! Yes, I might have lost two full writing days, but my sweet girls did all the grocery shopping and cooking and cleanup while they were here, AND left us with a full week’s worth of leftovers, which made up many of the lost work hours.
But I’ve had to say no too many times this month–this entire spring, really–including canceling a trip to visit precious grandkids. And I find myself praying that when I finally emerge victorious with a finished book and a few weeks off to celebrate, that my friends and family will all still be speaking to me, and that I won’t have to spend too much time doing damage control for all the things I’ve let slide.
Does anyone else feel this way when you have to say no because of work commitments? Do you feel guilty because what is urgent crowds out what is truly important? Do you feel sad because your necessary “no” sometimes means missing something that will never happen again? Do you feel like you’ve let people down and hurt people’s feelings?
I’d love to know how you deal with this. Other than moving to Siberia. Sigh. How have you put boundaries in place? How have you learned to make wise choices when so many worthy things compete for your attention? Help!
Meanwhile, I’m writing from sunup to way past sundown and longing for the day I can join the living again!
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Wow, I guess that’s the down side of writing. We often glamorize you authors thinking that you have it so easy because you work at home and can set your own hours. Ha! Guess that isn’t the case.
I wonder if women have a harder time grappling with the ‘say no’ issue than men do? I mean we’re supposed to be the nurturers and it just seems wrong to not be available when someone needs you. I used to say yes to everyone — at church, at work, at home and then I was in a blind panic from morning to night. Used to wake up with the adrenaline surging when I realized all the commitments I had. Now I take the time to pray about every decision — even if someone tries to pressure me for an answer right away. My knee-jerk reaction is to say yes but if I ponder and pray I find peace with my decision, whether it’s a yes or a no. And going into the day with that kind of attitude definitely makes a difference.
Praying God blesses you this week as you write and that you will be able to make your deadline!
Kav, let me be quick to say that I have the best job in the world. I DO love that I can make my own hours and take a day off if I feel like it. And I love what I do. I love that I get to use what I feel are my God-given gifts in my work. But when it comes to deadline time, that all goes out the window and it’s just a HARD job! :} Two weeks from now when my book has been turned in and I’ve had a few days off to recuperate, I’ll probably be singing a different tune. 🙂
That said, you are SO right about that “blind panic” when we’ve overextended ourselves! I think you are so wise to take the time to pray and not just say “yes” to every good opportunity that presents itself. Thanks so much for weighing in!
I’m just learning how to grapple with this issue, Deb. Are you telling me it doesn’t get easier? 😉
I think I’m going to make a list of my top four or five time/heart/God priorities and sticky note it to my computer monitor, and remember to check it every time a request for something more comes in. There are seasons of utter exhaustion in the writing life, and seasons where the work is steady and demanding but not all-consuming, and life feels more in balance.
Content edits are that exhausting time for me. During my content edits I work 7 days a week, for as many hours in the day as I can remain alert and wakeful, always pushing myself. “You can do this for one more hour, Lori. One. More. Hour.” For up to six weeks at a stretch. During those times I do have to say No to nearly everything but the work I’m contracted to do. I do go to church on Sunday morning, but otherwise send my husband off to play without me on the weekends. I stop reading for pleasure. I don’t cook much. I bear down like a woman in travail, unable to focus on anything but the book I’m laboring to birth.
I’m thankful it’s not always that intense, but it is always steady work, and never feeling like you’re caught up to where you want to be.
Now for the first time I’m writing a book to deadline and expecting content edits for the book I turned in already to arrive, and I can’t stop writing the WIP if I want to finish it on time. I’ve never had to do both at the same time, since all my previous contracted books were finished before they were contracted. I guess those last two edits were the warm up for what’s coming soon: writing and editing at the same time, which for me are both full time jobs. I know God will see me through, and I’ll find the time and energy (physical and creative). I just might have to cut out even more than I have been, during that bearing down season with edits.
Needless to say, if I didn’t love storytelling I would find something easier to do. Blessings to you as you come down to the wire this last week of May. Praying you finish strong!
Alas, if anything, it gets harder! I will say the writing itself has gotten a little easier. I don’t agonize quite so much about how to get my character from the kitchen to the living room, or whether to use this word or that one the way I did when I was first learning to write. But after more than 25 books, the hard part is keeping things fresh and coming up with new ideas and new twists. And still I love this work that God has called me to do.
That dovetailing that’s required when you have to put one book aside to do the edits on another is a huge challenge! I know authors who have accidentally inserted a character from one book into another at that stage of the game! Whew!
What’s interesting is that I LOVE the editing at all stages! That’s the part I thrive on. It’s the first draft that just about kills me! Thankfully it’s usually only one or two months out of each year that I’m in agony mode. 🙂
I can’t tell you how much your prayers mean. Thank you! I’m approaching this final week with expectation and anticipation and a surprising measure of pure joy! 🙂
Yes! I know exactly what you mean. Though I tend to say yes and then pile on the hours when everyone else is sleeping. Not exactly healthy! Hang in there, Deb!
You’re right, Cara. Thankfully, as I’ve gotten older, I can get by on MUCH less sleep and still feel healthy. Those early morning hours with no phone ringing and no e-mails coming in are a true blessing!
Deb, you are amazing—deadlines or not! 🙂 The fact that you’re able to share a peek of your life during this hectic time with such humor is wonderful – – some of us wouldn’t be quite so calm and composed, LOL. 😉
About ten years ago I was still in the thick of motherhood with kiddos living at home, teaching school, very active in my church, etc.etc.etc. but that’s about the time my back/spinal pain REALLY started flaring up—continuing to become worse and worse. In retrospect I see now that the Lord used that time to nudge me to begin giving up some of the jobs I felt I had to do. And now, even after all my surgeries and living with pain, there are times I still tend to push myself. But I think of those wise words someone shared with me a while back: You cannot do it ALL! 😉 So now I really do try to pray about what the Lord would have me to do, and go from there. ~ Thanks for taking time to share with us today, and praying you’ll meet that deadline with minimal stress. Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
Oh, Patti Jo! You should probably talk to Ken, or my daughters, or my sisters, who’ve seen my moments of frazzled, frantic tears, before you label me “calm and composed.” But I’ve truly FELT the prayers of so many who’ve been lifting me up, and now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for YOUR prayers, Patti Jo. You are always SUCH an encouragement to me!
As a friend, I admire that you can set aside time and finish your books! I know I had a deadline to finish a quilt, (not quite the same) for graduation and I had to just take the time, set aside everything else and finish! Hang in there, you’ll be done and you’ll feel good that you have accomplished it. Love and prayers for you this week!
A deadline is a deadline, Edna, whether it’s a quilt or a book. Both require creativity and hard work to finish. And both are promises made with a finish line to cross. Even though I knew it, it’s good to hear I’m not the only one who struggles. And thank you for the love and prayers. They mean the world. I’m writing on the deck this morning (until it gets too hot). The birds are serenading me, the words are flowing, and I’m feeling very hopeful!
I’m turning in my book a week from today, Deb, and oh HOW I can relate to you. I, also, feel guilty when I have to say ‘no’ to good things in order to meet work commitments. Hang in there! I don’t have any advice, only sympathy and encouragement. We’re both almost there! These deadlines are intense for short periods, but the flexible work schedule the rest of the year makes up for it. This is our ministry and ultimately, we’re doing this work for HIM.
Praying for you, too, Becky! We can DO this! 🙂 And you’re so right about it only being an intense short period. The rest of the year, being a writer is the best! Happy writing! I think I can… I think I can… I think I can… 🙂
Ladies, what happens if you just can’t meet the deadline? How much, if any flexibility do you have? Praying God will bless you with strength, stamina, and an extra dose of creativity! Love your books! You are a blessing!
Joyce, there ARE times when life intervenes and an author simply cannot––because of illness, family circumstances, computer problems, etc.––make the deadline. As you can imagine, it causes all kinds of grief to the publisher when an author is late with a manuscript or edit. For that reason, I’ve tried very hard to not ask for extensions on my deadlines. Two or three times in my 20 years as a writer, I’ve had to do so.
Usually your editor will allow you an extra week or two if it’s absolutely necessary. And it’s very helpful if you can let the editor know as FAR in advance as possible that you are behind schedule.
This deadline I’m on now is an extended one, which is why it feels even more important than others. There comes a point where it’s simply too late to turn the book in and still get it published on the original schedule. And if you miss the schedule, there’s no guarantee your book will find a place in the next season’s lineup. (Which can have very serious consequences if it’s a series.)
It would be a worst-case scenario, but it’s possible a missed deadline could put you in breach of contract, which would mean you’d have to pay back your advance (which, if you’re me, you spent long ago. :} ) So, see why I’m so stressed?! 🙂
Actually, things are going very well, and barring any major catastrophes, I should make it just fine. WHEW!
My life got VERY BUSY. I work for ten hours and commute long distances. I leave home at nine in the morning and come back at nine in the evening.I even worked last weekend. My life will get easier this fall when I’m going to have more time on my hands! YAY. I will get extra six hours in a week.
I write but not as much now. I’m burned out. I don’t read as much. Something has died. I know it’s temporary. So, I’m taking it slowly by jotting down my thoughts and observations in my journal. Or I might be working on a short story. Anything to keep my writing from dying out.
To refuel myself, I’m attending Write-to-Publish Conference in June.
Refueling is SO important! Thanks for that reminder, Anna. I think we all have phases of our life where we feel swamped by life. As long as those phases have an end and we take time to refuel, as you say, we can get through them. With God’s help! Thanks for commenting!