As an author who self-publishes, it would be reasonable to think that I am blessed not to have to deal with the dreaded spectre of a publishing deadline. Why would I deliberately put myself through such stress when I don't have to, right? I can take as long as I need to write a book, edit it, design the cover and then publish. Nobody is looking over my shoulder and checking their imaginary watch or tapping their foot impatiently.
Not so.
Apart from hoping that my readers are all chomping at the bit for my new offering, I like to use a self-imposed deadline to maintain my writing momentum. I actually benefit from the stress it adds! It helps me stay focused on the bigger picture and not get lost in the process. I tend to do this by setting a pre-release for my WIP which means it gets out into the world, with a cover and a publication date, for anyone (who is interested) to see. The cat is out of the bag, so to speak, and I then have to step up and hit that deadline with no excuses.
I still always end up working flat out in the final few weeks before publication but this just reminds me how important deadlines are, for me at least. Without a deadline to spur me on, I know I would spend far too much time over-thinking and forever re-editing, meaning months of unnecessary delay. Although I am fairly self-disciplined, deadlines are my best friends because they continually remind me that I have a job to do. They give me regular infusions of energy by acting as my ultimate reality check.
Now...back to writing so I don't miss my next deadline!
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Fantastic post, and I totally agree, "I like to use a self-imposed deadline to maintain my writing momentum." Although, right now I have to get feedback on what that deadline should be - I would hate to give myself an unrealistic goal and unnecessarily make myself feel like a failure.
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I agree completely, Karen. I always try and set a realistic deadline. based on how long different stages of the process have taken me in the past. Once I have hit on a deadline date, I then just have to commit to it or, as Daisy rightly says, I would not get to the finish line - at least not for a long time! Of course, the minute I have set a deadline, dozens of other distractions will suddenly decide to put in an appearance but having that end date forces me to focus, especially on the days when the world is pulling me in many other directions. In a way, deadlines are my best friends who help me hit my goals but who I also don't actually want to see very often!