This past weekend, I discovered that the deadline to turn in a manuscript for a conference review was the date to be 'received by' instead of the date to be 'postmarked by.'
At first, this was not good news (i.e., extreme panic), but after 4 hours of revisions during the wee hours of the morning (I couldn't sleep anyway), I finished version 6 of the story and had it formatted and ready to be mailed the next day.
The deadline turned out to be the path to unleashing creativity and honing my story to a much finer point. I simply could not miss the deadline.
So, next time you think there is no time (did i mention I also had unexpected house guests) to get that revision or query or cover finished and submitted, get inspired and just do it. The dead of night could be your best time to work on meeting deadlines!
-Q
As you probably noticed, my last post came just after the big Christmas Day snow storm. Until today, everything remained pristine white. Today started the big thaw. I even waited until melting started before walking in the backyard to maintain the perfect white a while longer. (We get deep snow so seldom.)
Anyway, it got me thinking about the first day of each year and how we all have a clean slate (not counting looming deadlines) for our ongoing editing, new ideas, and submissions. It's like a do over. We can forget any rejection letters, delayed responses, or other less than hoped for outcomes. We are on top of our game with a clean slate. I started to fill mine today. How about you?
Happy New Year!
-Q
As many writers experience, story ideas come with little or no advance notice. The same is true of unexpected writing time. As this backyard picture illustrates, I was geographically blessed by winter storm Euclid hitting my area on Christmas day.
With little advance warning, 12-15 inches of snow incapacitated the roads and put 190,000 people in the city out of power. Luckily, I didn't lose power even though many friends are still without electricity. [I've asked them to stay, but the roads are too icy to make it to my house which sits on a very steep hill.]
So, instead of worrying about missing after Christmas sales, I've settled in and accepted this gift of writing time with open arms. I'm getting caught up on marketing deadlines, working on my website, checking in on Facebook and Pinterest and may even Tweet if the inspiration hits.
Mostly, I'm recording sensory details for future projects. I love winter, but now I'll depend less on memory for winter details (crystal crackling of ice falling from the trees) and more on my notes.
A sudden winter storm strengthened my writing and spirit. Post holiday chaos has been replaced with white time to recharge and create. Happy winter!
-Q
