Beyond My Writing Space: How to Meet Deadlines and Remain Sane

Friday, 7 March 2014

How to Meet Deadlines and Remain Sane - Guest Post by Karolyn James

Date Published: 2/13/2014

Contemporary Romance

A simple phone call can change your life... just ask successful businessman Sullivan Chasen. When the caller shares the news that Sullivan's father is dying, Sullivan laughs and hangs up. He isn't being heartless, he just knows that it can't be true - because his father already passed away... ten years ago.Like a bad dream, the calls keep coming and DNA results turn Sullivan's world upside down. There is only one way, and very little time, to figure out the truth. He packs his bags for the small town of Ferry Creek, North Carolina.Once Sullivan arrives, he must confront a past he never knew existed, including a half-brother who lives above their family diner. The longer he spends away from his wealthy lifestyle and successful business, the more he falls in love with the small town, its community... and waitress, Jess Winthorne.Can Sullivan Chasen go back to his normal life after learning about his past or will he discover the missing piece of his heart in Ferry Creek?

How to Meet Deadlines and Remain Sane

I think every person fears deadlines at some point in their life. Deadlines aren’t just part of a writers life, it’s part of everyone’s life, right? We have to be to work on time. Our kids have soccer practice or homework… we have to have dinner done to feed our family. The list goes on and on. As a writer, there’s always an internal deadline for me that keeps ticking away. It’s part of the reason why I’m not sure what my actual ‘working hours’ are each week because my job never ends. From the moment the alarm goes off until I close my eyes at night, I’m working. (And I’m probably working in my sleep, too!)

The key to meeting deadlines without losing your mind is to set small goals along the way to keep time moving. It’s important to be very organized when working against a deadline, too. Sometimes being ‘organized’ means to sacrifice… there have been weekends where I’ve stayed home instead of going out. There have been nights of missing a favorite TV show, or saving it for another night. That’s just part of the life and part of meeting a deadline.

When I started writing Ferry Creek, the deadline was for two books… uh, what? Two full length romance novels. I saw the date of publication and knew I had to work. That didn’t mean work fast, that meant to work smart. I had a great outline planned for each book and I referred to that outline each time I wrote. I kept the story alive in my head and made sure I loved every second of it… because when meeting a deadline, you can’t skimp. Especially with writing. If you skimp, readers will know. So don’t do it!

For me, when I meet a deadline, I then step back, smile, and treat myself to someone. Maybe a lunch. Maybe a coffee. Maybe a walk. Maybe a night off. That always recharged my batteries for the next deadline.

Virtual Book Tour - March 3 - March 30th

March 3 - Reading Addiction Blog Tours - Kick Off

March 4 - Pure Jonel - Review

March 5 - Books Direct - Interview

March 7 - Erin Cawood - Guest Post

March 8 - Dee's Book Blog - Review

March 9 - Paulette's Papers - Guest Post

March 10 - D'ebook Sharing Book Reviews - Review

March 11 - Deal Sharing Aunt - Guest Post

March 12 - At Random - Review

March 13 - FicCentral - Review

March 14 - Loving the Language of Literacy - Interview