I had set a strict deadline to finish a book, so that
I could revise and edit it in time to participate in a twitter pitch party. The
deadline came and went, waving a mocking goodbye to me, and I realized that I was
not even halfway through the project, though I managed to write a few pitches for
it.
I postponed the deadline by two months. As this
particular deadline is looming large, I realize that I still have a long, long
way to go. If I do a rushed up job, I know I’ll be doing injustice to the
project, as well as to myself.
This has made me push the deadline by a few more
weeks. I am not sure that I’ll meet that deadline too.
I feel bad that I won’t be able to complete my book
for that particular pitch party. I’ll have to wait a few more months for it to
come again. By then I’m sure the book will be more than ready. I’m very angry
with myself for this slow writing. But summer always has that effect on me. It
makes me sluggish and grumpy and very lazy.
But luckily for me I have another book that I may be
able to polish for that particular pitch contest. This idea has cheered me up
quite a bit. Fingers crossed so that I am able to achieve this particular goal.
How are you all at handling deadlines? Are you able to
meet them? Or like me do you keep postponing them?
I think it's better to wait till the project is really out rather than really push it. And yes, I've gotten frustrated with myself trying to complete something for a contest but not being able to meet my goal.
ReplyDeleteI would feel worse if I did a rush job on the project then it didn't do well in the contest, etc. Take your time, get it in the best shape possible then go for it! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's better to postpone than give a botched up work. It happens, I feel. I revived my novel and been quite late with 15 pages done for three months which is so less. I need to set some self deadline of 1000 words, thrice a week and try to finish first draft by September.
ReplyDeleteCheerz
https://vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com/
I prefer to think of them as goals rather than deadlines. Then I don't get as hung up on the calendar and instead allow creativity to flow naturally, or something like that.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a wise approach.
DeleteSorry you missed the deadline, but rushing wouldn't have been good for the story.
ReplyDeleteThe IWSG's Twitter pitch isn't for another three months - maybe that would be enough time?
I agree with the others that rushing a project through is not a good idea. I work well with deadlines sometimes, and sometimes I don't. It really depends on the project. I turned out a short story for an anthology on time, but the story was cooperative. I have another project that is taking years to come to fruition, and no amount of deadlines has been able to change that. It's taking its time. Good luck in pitching your alternative project. I think the key is to have more than one project. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteI work better with a firm deadline, preferably one set by an editor or publisher. It seems my self-assigned deadlines are often ignored. :D
ReplyDeleteWith my authors and books, those deadlines I can't miss. My own writing - I gave up on deadlines a couple years ago.
ReplyDeleteHello Rachna,
ReplyDeleteLong time.. How are you doing?
On deadlines, they help us prioritize our tasks.
But more important than that, is the willpower to not postpone them, as you have mentioned.
I do postpone some of them, if some more important task has taken greater priority.