Comments on: Deadlines, Revisited

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:30:17 +0000

I think sometimes we make our self-imposed deadlines way tighter than anyone else would ask us to do. It feels great to make progress, but we do, yes, have to cut ourselves slack every now and then.

Glad for all your good news over on your blog–seems like all your work is paying off.

By: Amy G.

Amy G. — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:00:10 +0000

So glad you still love the book! I usually hold myself to very tight self-imposed deadlines, but I’ve been learning to cut myself more slack. So far copyediting has been stressful for me (it has coincided with holidays and family celebrations both times) but even so I agree that it’s great to have a project that puts me so close to the actual book.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:06:38 +0000

I think self-imposed deadlines are almost always tighter than they have to be. If we wear ourselves out that way, we don’t have much left for the ones we HAVE to meet. Ease up just a tiny bit?

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:03:51 +0000

Sounds good to me! I can see you liking them.

By: Vivian

Vivian — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:58:32 +0000

It must feel so awesome knowing you’re close to the end! I’ve been working on self-imposed deadlines and I fear I’m being too harsh on myself.

By: P. J. Hoover

P. J. Hoover — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:56:22 +0000

I kind of think I like deadlines. As non-committal as that sounds, it seems to be the best way to put it.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:21:37 +0000

Thanks, Jama. This is actually the stage I might prefer to do with a red pen! I’m sure it saves time & increases accuracy at the other end, though.

And I am happy with the book, which feels great.

By: beckylevine

beckylevine — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:20:41 +0000

It is easier to measure. The other thing is it’s just a do this, do this–not quite boring (’cause I know it matters), but not lots of ups and downs!

Nope, PDF with that lovely yellow inside it!

By: jama

jama — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:17:13 +0000

Glad to hear you’re still loving the book, and the process of doing page proofs.

By: Susan Taylor Brown

Susan Taylor Brown — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:52:56 +0000

I think this deadline works because it’s much easier to measure than something I’m likely to say like, “work on novel.”

I love that you still love the book.

Interesting that you’re working in PDF. Mine have all been in Word.