How Writers Can Meet Deadlines Without Last-Minute Panic

From Edie: Discover how writers can meet deadlines without last-minute panic by managing reminders, avoiding procrastination, and communicating with editors.

How Writers Can Meet Deadlines Without Last-Minute Panic

by Larry J. Leech, II @LarryJLeechII

Imagine if you will …

Sitting at your computer. Cursor blinking. Fingers on the keyboard. 

A deadline looms. Less than one hour away.

Or worse. You’re past the deadline. By a few hours. Or, yikes, a few days.

And your brain is stuck in neutral.

Raise your hand, both if you so desire, if you’ve been there, done that. Trust me, I’ve got both hands up. 

So, making deadlines in a deadline-driven industry should be easy, right? Right? Well … yes, it should be. But life happens, schedules get jumbled, and, hmmm, what’s that word, uh, procrastination, yeah, that one, sometimes rules the day. 

Now, imagine this … increased heart rate, shortness of breath, sweaty palms. Nope. Not a heart attack. Or those moments of young love. Those a just possible consequences of missing a deadline. Raise your hands with me, if you know this feeling.

To those people who have chuckled so far and thought, “Never experienced any of that,” I tip my hat to ya. 

To help me, I’ve tried one little trick. Not always successful. Nonetheless have tried. If I have a deadline on the fifteenth of a month, I set a reminder on the eighth. Sounds like a good idea. Sometimes that works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Methinks I should add another reminder on the twelfth. Let’s see if that works. 

And, remember, if you might miss a deadline, contact the person who requested the material and let them know. Editors are people too. Usually without big claws or fangs. Well, always without either. 

If you’ve frustrated your editor a time or two, a chai latte might gain you some points. Or chocolate. I have yet to meet an editor who doesn’t like chocolate. 

Now imagine if you will …

Typing furiously. Work is done. Attach it to an email. Hit send. Lean back in your chair. And smile. Because you made your deadline. With a week to spare.

TWEETABLE

How Writers Can Meet Deadlines Without Last-Minute Panic from @LarryJLeechII on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Usually with a hot beverage nearby, Larry J. Leech II spends his days working with words—as a writing coach of award-winning authors, as well as Acquisitions Editor and Master Book Coach for Illumify Media. More than forty years ago, Larry started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep sports, college sports, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry shifted to book publishing. Since that time, he has ghostwritten thirty books, edited more than 450 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. For nearly two decades Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. When he has a minute, Larry likes to hang out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find out more about him on his website: larryleech.com.