Deadline Doldrums
I love to write, obviously, but I have this terrible habit of letting deadlines overwhelm me. Part of the problem is that I really need time to figure out my approach before I write an article. Sometimes it comes to me as soon as I hear the subject matter. Other times I find my hook as I'm interviewing someone. Then other times I have to turn it over in my brain for days, weeks, before it pulls together. And if a deadline is looming, forget it. My creative inspiration won't hit until a few days AFTER the deadline. I can't handle the pressure!
I think the editor has figured this out at one local magazine that I write for. She has started giving me earlier deadlines so that she actually has my story in plenty of time before they go to print. Only now that I've figured it out, time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping...
This past week has been a blur of interviews, articles, ad designs and photos. In between it all, I snuck two queries into the mail. I was so proud! I agonized over each word in those letters. I probably over thought it all. The whole query process terrifies me, much more than writing a book. I've read tons of samples, bought several books on the subject (of course!), and written and rewritten and written again. The waiting kills me, but thankfully I've got a few deadlines to occupy my time...
So, enough of a break. Back to writing, well, other writing, the stuff I'm actually paid to write.
I like that. I'm paid to write. I guess I really am a writer. Glad I reminded myself of that.
Here's a great story about someone who got a book published at a very young age. I love stuff like this :)
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/authors/a_young_boys_fantasy_becomes_a_local_bestseller_95272.asp
I think the editor has figured this out at one local magazine that I write for. She has started giving me earlier deadlines so that she actually has my story in plenty of time before they go to print. Only now that I've figured it out, time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping...
This past week has been a blur of interviews, articles, ad designs and photos. In between it all, I snuck two queries into the mail. I was so proud! I agonized over each word in those letters. I probably over thought it all. The whole query process terrifies me, much more than writing a book. I've read tons of samples, bought several books on the subject (of course!), and written and rewritten and written again. The waiting kills me, but thankfully I've got a few deadlines to occupy my time...
So, enough of a break. Back to writing, well, other writing, the stuff I'm actually paid to write.
I like that. I'm paid to write. I guess I really am a writer. Glad I reminded myself of that.
Here's a great story about someone who got a book published at a very young age. I love stuff like this :)
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/authors/a_young_boys_fantasy_becomes_a_local_bestseller_95272.asp