Gimme a "D" (eadline)

[Peg Herring]

I've given myself a week to get it all together. I've long nown that I do best with a deadline. They're natural for teachers, because every hour of the day is at least one. For a writer, there are plenty of deadlines as well, but not always when you need them. I've got plenty going on: two books coming out soon, one edited and in need of promotion; one whose editing hangs over my head like that sword in mythology (When will they send it back? How much will they want it changed? How much time will they give me to get it done?)

So I know I should be finishing the WIP, getting it into some sort of shape for readers to begin gnawing at its edges. And there's the rub: I have no deadline for that. I can set it aside for a dozen reasons...especially when the going gets tough.

So there: I'm announcing to the world that I WILL finish it this week and present it to my first reader next Tuesday.

Stay tuned for a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[Peg Herring]

It didn't work yesterday, but today I woke up (at 4:16) raring to go!

[Donna Carrick]

There's nothing like a deadline, right, Peg? Gets the old juices flowing... and with luck the story flowing too!