Deadlines.

While making some adjustments to An Army of Erma's writer schedule, I forgot to include the one thing every writer needs: a deadline. Many of us may say we have it covered, we mean to start first thing in the morning and whip out a chapter or an article by the next day but, in my own case at least, I need a firm date circled in red on the calendar that I can ignore until the last minute.

My writers are professionals. They also have very busy lives and things come up so when I tossed out the new format without a deadline, I heard crickets until a few days ago when I put down a date. Then people came out of the woodwork, I think relieved that I had given them something to shoot for. I have every confidence that we'll fill up Ermas with excellent columns but next time I need content -- they get the date circled in red.

Do you need a deadline?

5 comments:

  1. Marguerite ButlerAugust 19, 2010 at 7:38 PM

    New look to blog. So. Dizzy.


    I love deadlines too. I must have a deadline. I think for writers, work is like water. It exapnds to fill the available space.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Terri CoopAugust 19, 2010 at 8:38 PM

    LOVE the new header! Yes, deadlines are necessary. Mine tend to given out by judges, with gavels, and black robes. They scare me!

    ReplyDelete
  3. weeghostiesAugust 19, 2010 at 8:45 PM

    Terri, while kinky, I promise to put on a black robe next time I need content for Ermas. You're welcome.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Melanie HooyengaAugust 22, 2010 at 7:59 PM

    I definitely need deadlines. Have you not seen my latest tweet just hanging out there, asking you when you need my post? :P

    ReplyDelete
  5. Miss Straighty180August 26, 2010 at 9:52 PM

    Yes! Alas, self-imposed deadlines mean nothing to me. I can hold myself accountable for dinner, but not for writing.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)