I don’t know about you, but being given a deadline always gives me the kick up the backside I need. So there I was, working away on my new how-to book, Novel Know-how. It was coming along fine. It just takes time to come up with a structure and you’ve got to get the chapter titles right…
Then I was given the deadline to have it completed by the beginning of April. That may still seem a long way away to you, and it did to me – in December because April was next year then. But now we’ve suddenly leaped forward into this year, it’s looming closer and closer, and isn’t that far away at all.
After running (actually, I don’t do running, so maybe ‘walking slowly’ is a better description) round screaming and tugging clumps of hair out (my hair is very fine so perhaps ‘the odd strand’ is more apt otherwise I’d be bald in moments), I settled down to plan.
And it’s worked! Well, I’m on target so far and have just reached the halfway point. Phew! Though I’m not sure what to call the next chapter…
What are you like with deadlines? Do they motivate you or do you ignore them until the last minute and hope everything comes together?
Esther Chilton 
Leave a comment