Based on everything I’ve seen, you really work hard, Alison. No wonder you feel a bit slower today. You’re only human. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Thank you, Andrew. It's a strange point to be at--so close to having completed. There's the drive to finish. But it has been good--and useful--to have a slowed day. I find wee phrases have popped into my head, and I am so familiar with the manuscript, that I know where I want to pop them in. Feeling a bit better, too!
Sorry to hear you're feeling low. I've been there quite a lot this year, as you know. It DOES pass! (I'm in the upper middle realm at the moment.) I DO wish I were better at maintaining equilibrium, but I also think these ups and downs edify us, even deepen us. They have to be good for something!
As for deadlines, I am excellent at them if I've made a commitment to another person. Less so if the accountability is with myself. I used to be harsher with myself, but I am aware of my propensity for ups and downs and how the downs drain me and, worse, muddy my mind. I can't keep track of anything when that happens. Pressuring myself when I'm in that condition doesn't help. So I give myself short deadlines---how much I'll get done in a day, in a week---which allow me to feel I've accomplished something on a regular basis, and a soft deadline for the bigger project. I don't beat myself up if I don't meet it. It's not worth the anxiety pushing myself when I'm not 'right in the head' creates. I want to keep on track, but I don't want to be miserable while I'm doing it.
I suspect that how we handle this sort of thing has a great deal to do with personality and with where we are at in life. What works for me may not work for someone else.
All that makes a lot of sense. Short deadlines are good--they do give a sense of "I did that!" And better, they can clear that (well-described!) muddiness!
Hope you are feeling better. It's my impression that several years of isolating has meant when friends of mine get a non-Covid virus, it's a doozy! As far as deadlines, when I am setting these for myself, I call them guidelines--ie tentative dates for accomplishing a task––because one of the benefits of being self-employed is that I am the boss, and I am very understanding with my employee (me) because I know that life happens, and I have learned that keeping a well-balanced life (physically, emotionally, etc) requires flexibility. It is great when I meet one of those tentative dates, but unless I have promised to get something done for someone else, my expectation is that as long as I get the thing done within a week of that tentative date, I've met my goal. Sounds to me like that's what you've done with this week of writing. So hurrah!
“But I am at the point at which if I look at the manuscript in one way I see it as “almost ready to go,” and if I look at it another, it appears to be a mess. (It’s not.) (It is.)”
I never understood how similar training for a marathon and writing to meet a deadline were!!! I think there is a difference between editing and writing for story flow. Allyson, if that's what you've been doing, you need rest, stay hydrated, and eat some brain food. 👍 I set personal goals on my calendar, so I can look over my month and see if met them for the month. I don't beat myself up if I didn't. Nor do I knuckle down to work harder. Instead, I pull out ancient drafts and see what passages would make a good Medium post.
I have yet to meet a writer who does have self-doubt. I’m sure there are some out there somewhere, but are they the sort of writer who obsesses until it’s their best work? Probably not. Give yourself some get we’ll time. Sounds like you’re almost there.
I hope you’re feeling better, Alison. I tackled the deadline of completing a novel by writing it on my Substack. It’s one hell of a motivation to get words on the screen. It’s working well with 25,000 words so far. The hardest part will be finding an agent but that’s another whole exercise in itself. I really enjoy your Substack.
Hi Alison. Yes, I have an outline. Honestly, this is the only way that works for me because it focuses me. I have to get the words on the screen and I edit thoroughly before I post each instalment. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.
Hope you’re feeling better, Alison!
You’re in the home stretch ❤️
Thank you, Jolene!
Based on everything I’ve seen, you really work hard, Alison. No wonder you feel a bit slower today. You’re only human. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Thank you, Andrew. It's a strange point to be at--so close to having completed. There's the drive to finish. But it has been good--and useful--to have a slowed day. I find wee phrases have popped into my head, and I am so familiar with the manuscript, that I know where I want to pop them in. Feeling a bit better, too!
Sorry to hear you're feeling low. I've been there quite a lot this year, as you know. It DOES pass! (I'm in the upper middle realm at the moment.) I DO wish I were better at maintaining equilibrium, but I also think these ups and downs edify us, even deepen us. They have to be good for something!
As for deadlines, I am excellent at them if I've made a commitment to another person. Less so if the accountability is with myself. I used to be harsher with myself, but I am aware of my propensity for ups and downs and how the downs drain me and, worse, muddy my mind. I can't keep track of anything when that happens. Pressuring myself when I'm in that condition doesn't help. So I give myself short deadlines---how much I'll get done in a day, in a week---which allow me to feel I've accomplished something on a regular basis, and a soft deadline for the bigger project. I don't beat myself up if I don't meet it. It's not worth the anxiety pushing myself when I'm not 'right in the head' creates. I want to keep on track, but I don't want to be miserable while I'm doing it.
I suspect that how we handle this sort of thing has a great deal to do with personality and with where we are at in life. What works for me may not work for someone else.
All that makes a lot of sense. Short deadlines are good--they do give a sense of "I did that!" And better, they can clear that (well-described!) muddiness!
GREAT to see you sub'ing another picturebook :)
Thank you!
Hope you are feeling better. It's my impression that several years of isolating has meant when friends of mine get a non-Covid virus, it's a doozy! As far as deadlines, when I am setting these for myself, I call them guidelines--ie tentative dates for accomplishing a task––because one of the benefits of being self-employed is that I am the boss, and I am very understanding with my employee (me) because I know that life happens, and I have learned that keeping a well-balanced life (physically, emotionally, etc) requires flexibility. It is great when I meet one of those tentative dates, but unless I have promised to get something done for someone else, my expectation is that as long as I get the thing done within a week of that tentative date, I've met my goal. Sounds to me like that's what you've done with this week of writing. So hurrah!
SO true, about not being sick for some time! With all the masking. Twice now I've been ill and it's lasted way too long.
Yes... to how boss-you gives employee-you that week! Most understanding.
This clanged my chime:
“But I am at the point at which if I look at the manuscript in one way I see it as “almost ready to go,” and if I look at it another, it appears to be a mess. (It’s not.) (It is.)”
Oh my... yes.
I never understood how similar training for a marathon and writing to meet a deadline were!!! I think there is a difference between editing and writing for story flow. Allyson, if that's what you've been doing, you need rest, stay hydrated, and eat some brain food. 👍 I set personal goals on my calendar, so I can look over my month and see if met them for the month. I don't beat myself up if I didn't. Nor do I knuckle down to work harder. Instead, I pull out ancient drafts and see what passages would make a good Medium post.
Love it- brain food! Suggestions, please!
Avocado? Salmon?
(Right now, it's more like ginger lemon tea with this terrifically bitter buckwheat honey.)
I have yet to meet a writer who does have self-doubt. I’m sure there are some out there somewhere, but are they the sort of writer who obsesses until it’s their best work? Probably not. Give yourself some get we’ll time. Sounds like you’re almost there.
Thank you, Sheryl! (Post LONG nap...)
I hope you’re feeling better, Alison. I tackled the deadline of completing a novel by writing it on my Substack. It’s one hell of a motivation to get words on the screen. It’s working well with 25,000 words so far. The hardest part will be finding an agent but that’s another whole exercise in itself. I really enjoy your Substack.
That is quite something (brave) to be writing and posting it AS you write. Are you working with an outline? Yes, the deadline of sharing does work!
Here's a post about finding an agent: https://unschoolforwriters.substack.com/p/find-and-love-your-literary-agent
I am so glad you are enjoying The Unschool. Thank you for being here!
Hi Alison. Yes, I have an outline. Honestly, this is the only way that works for me because it focuses me. I have to get the words on the screen and I edit thoroughly before I post each instalment. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.
Very good--to find a way deadline that works for you.