I was ruled by deadlines throughout my professional career in advertising and marketing. Most of them were not self-imposed deadlines; rather, I had to finish my portion of the project in order for someone else to begin their contributions.
Early in my career, I was a copywriter, writing scripts for television commercials. I had to finish writing the script so that videographers and announcers could do their work. The goal was to get it to the traffic or media department on schedule.
Later in my career, the scope of projects changed, and my contributions to the projects broadened. But there was still a deadline looming in the future.
Now that I’m retired, my former business partner assures me that I am no longer a slave to deadlines.
He couldn’t be more wrong.
I just finished writing my fifth book. But I’m far from the finish line. After typing “The End,” I proofread, edited, and re-wrote portions of the story to prep it for my developmental editor. You guessed it – I had to meet a deadline so that someone else could start their portion of the project. After she’s completed the editing, the formatters are “standing by” to start that phase of the book release process.
Sure, I could have asked for an extension. But that might have disrupted my editor’s schedule – and on down the line. So, I gave myself a deadline – which I was able to meet.
Whew.
Look for Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier this May.