Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!!
I am so happy to Welcome Erika Chase back to Escape With Dollycas today!
The Dreaded Deadline
By Erika Chase, author of the Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries
I was trying to come up with a blog topic and not doing so well. What was really going on in my head was the fact that the deadline for my new manuscript, Roux the Day, the second in the Dinner Club Mysteries
Now, back to deadlines. This may not be a very exciting topic to you dear reader, but think about it. We all have them, whether it’s a writing deadline, a cooking dinner deadline, a deadline for sending in money for your child’s school outing. Even the ultimate deadline, the dreaded income tax!
What fascinates me is how we all handle them. I admit, I’m kind of reckless, preferring to live life on the deadline edge. I blame it on my training as a journalist – you know, breaking story, short deadline, just do it! I’m afraid this has transferred over to my fiction writing as well. If I have a long deadline, say nine months or a year, I whittle away at the piece until it comes closer to the crunch. And then, I’m bum-to-the-chair, long hours of writing, feeling revved up and full of ideas.
What a way to live! It usually works just fine though, except when life chooses to interfere. An unexpected appointment; a sick friend; a sick pet; or, too many deadlines at the same time.
I’ve tried to re-train myself, setting early artificial deadlines but that’s exactly what they are – artificial and I find it hard to fool myself.
I have several friends who operate in a different style. They make sure they’re finished well in advance of that deadline. And I mean, well in advance. Their lives are structured, well-balanced, and healthy, without being constricted. I’m certain their stress levels are negligible or at least at what is considered acceptable. Health professionals do say a certain amount of stress in our lives is healthy.
I so admire those friends but know I have as much chance of joining their ranks as I do of winning the Nobel Prize for anything.
What I need to do is carry on in my own somewhat self-destructive way, ensure I have other interests to add balance to my life, and some wonderful, understanding friends…even if most of them are more adept at handling deadlines.
What about you? How do you approach those deadlines in your life?
Let me know in the comment section below and your name will be entered in a draw for a copy of any one of my Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries
About The Author
Erika Chase
The fifth book in the Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The Ashton Corners Book Club Mysteries
I like to have plan where I finish a head of schedule. I dont work great under pressure.
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
I am not like your well organized friends. I seem to need a little adrenaline to motivate me. Thanks for the giveaway!
I wish I could say I was always ahead of schedule but mostly I plan , procrastinate and then rush to get it done.
I wait to the last minute. Bad, I know.
I try really hard to have a plan. I do better if have a somewhat plan then adapt as I go with interruptions.
I wish I was better at completing tasks before the deadline. At work, I have reports due at certain times every month. It is best to get the reports done as soon as possible. For my personal life, I am not that organized. I will have to work on that.
myrifraf (at) gmail (dot) com
I am procrastinator so then my deadlines are even more stressful. I need to be more organized.
I’m a procrastinator. Somehow I work better when the wolf is knocking at my door. It seems like my creative juices flow better and I can come up with juicier ideas. robeader53@yahoo.com
I would have to say I approach each deadline differently. For my blog posts I like to have them done early, for reports I wait I until the last minute, and for forms to be done I do them on time. So for me it depends on the deadline. bookaunt at outlook dot com
I try to plan ahead and complete projects ahead of deadline, if possible. When faced with an upcoming deadline, I focus on the project and my husband would say I become OCD, intent on finishing and skipping meals etc, much to his dismay since he is definitely a food oriented person.
I usually like to have things done ahead of time. I’m a planner, lists and all.
I make list and do what I can ahead
I always wait until the last minute.
As an adult (let’s not talk about school) I tend to just get the job done usually well before any deadline.
I try to do a little each day, for instance my husband’s birthday is this Saturday & I’m having family & friends over so I have to get ready for that. He’s dealing with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer & we are trying to make this Birthday special, because we want him with us for a long time, but we know it’s in God’s hand. Thanks for this awesome chance.
I plan ahead, organize and always get things done before so that i don’t worry or stress. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway.
I don’t like to be rushed in doing things that I must, it makes me angry.
I am a procrastinator. I always do it when I have to.
It’s like college–you know when the paper is due, but you wait until the last possible moment to work on it. Or even past the last possible moment!
Get done before the dead line. Add my name in the giveaway. Thanks
I have to do any task ahead of time or I get anxious about not making the deadline.
I like to get things done ahead of time and then I don’t have to worry about them.
I’m a by the seat of my pants deadline approacher. On the few times I have gotten something finished way in advance, I keep asking myself what have I forgotten–something must be missing~ I would love to win a book from your Ashton Corners series!
I am one of those neurotics whose lists breed lists which makes me feel like I am accomplishing something, but I can assure you…I don’t think I have EVER finished everything on my list. Thank you for this giveaway.
I like to finish and have it done so I can move on to other things.
I was a teacher for 35+ years with many deadlines for report cards, conferences, testing, state requiements. I found I worked better when the deadline was ‘kinda’ close. I’m not a procrastinator because I usually get all my ducks in a row first. But the actual completion was sometimes cutting it close. Missing deadlines? Never…but several late nights.
I’m bad at planning- lol
Drakebdog at gmail dot com
I just retired from being a special education teacher. For each of our students we had to write I.E.P.s–Individualized Education Plans. So, I had to keep a list of due dates and time lines to ensure that I met my deadlines! I had to stay up late occasionally to get everything done.
I’m not sorry to be retired from that, too. What a lot of paperwork just to cover our rears!
I am a procrastinator! I can’t do it if I am not close to the deadline. My husband is a planner and he likes everything written down and in order! I guess that is what makes us a great team he plans and I do it at the very last minute! Thanks for the chance!
Glad I don’t have too many deadlines anymore like in school. Just have to get everyone to the right place at the right time. Thanks for the chance to win an Ashton Corners title and I look forward to the new series by Linda/Erika!
I work off of a list. If I don’t write it down, it flies right by me. Thanks for the giveaway.
You are a new to me author and I’m looking forward to reading them. They are definitely on my TBR list.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I always had nightmares when a deadline approached, so I tried to get it done early.
I try to make a plan to finish on time , but unfortunately time runs away and I’m racing to get done lol Somehow I always make the deadline ?
I try to plan ahead – however, I’m a chronic procrastinator. I think this was unwittingly encouraged when, in my younger years, I would ace tests and projects that I waited until the last minute for…and ones I started early on, I didn’t do as well on. It’s like my enthusiasm and effort peter out if I start too far in advance. So I’m a chronic up-too-late the night before type gal.
I have a Masters degree in procrastination, but I always make the deadline!!! Thank you for the chance for one of your books!!!
I TRY TO GET THINGS DONE ON TIME BUT IT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK OUT THAT WAY!
All one can do is try to get things done on time. But things happen. I do try. But don’t always make it. And sometimes it’s because I have my nose in a good read and forget to come up for air.