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Deadline craziness

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by Amanda Forester

Hello all you nice people in blogger land.  Today is my day to blog, but it is also the day before I have a manuscript due.  A manuscript that is not ready yet.  And that terrifying reality gives me hives and makes me doubt myself.

What on earth makes me think I can write a book? (Never mind those other books I somehow published).  Seriously, I don't have time.  I really don't.  After going to work and then coming home and taking care of the kids, and the pets, and the house, and the husband, and writing that PTA newsletter I have no idea why I signed up for, and doing the fundraising for my kids sports team, and a hundred other things that demand my time like angry Canadian geese (the most scary image I could think of at the moment relating to a horrible childhood experience involving a loaf of bread and a hungry goose - shudder) why, why am I doing this to myself?

Let me think...

Oh right - I actually love this.  Because even though right now I have not slept enough in I can't remember when and I'm living on sugar and chocolate and green beans (gotta think of your health you know) I would not trade this opportunity for all the housework and reality TV in the world (what I would be doing if I wasn't writing).

Back to editing folks, because if this blog teaches you nothing else, it's the importance of editing.  (Good gravy how many run-in sentences can I put in one blog post?).

I need another chocolate chip cookie with a green bean chaser... I'll sleep when it's done.

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Comments

  1. Terry SpearJanuary 31, 2013 at 6:48 AM

    I feel your pain, Amanda! I've got a blog tour going for a release in a few days, 1st round edits on one book, final read through on another, 2nd round edits on another, and I'm trying to finish up a 4th to turn in. :) Plus I'm trying to finish reading entries for the Rita...

    But then I get the fan mail and I know it's all worth it.

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  2. Victoria RobertsJanuary 31, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    I'm with ya! Blog tour coming up, copy/edits due, working on the next series, homework with the kids, carting the kids to basketball practices and games, and let's not forget grocery shopping, laundry, and all that other fun stuff...and the day job!

    You're right. I don't know how we do it. But the end result is worth the effort. Don't forget to breathe!

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  3. Carolyn BrownJanuary 31, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    I'm giggling because I can relate so well. In the end it all beats...well, just think of that first thing I said to you at the dinner table in Orlando! It dang sure beats that.

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  4. Suzan TisdaleJanuary 31, 2013 at 8:07 AM

    I feel your pain! I went through the exact same things before I was able to give up day job to write full time. Might I suggest an assistant? I still have the one I hired last year. She came in once a week and cleaned my house, on Friday mornings so that it was spotless and I could write all weekend. $25 (its a tiny house!). She also sets up book signings, did some research, and now occasionally runs errands. She does those things for $10 an hour. And she'll still come in and clean when I've got a deadline. She is worth every penny.
    My assistant, or as she calls herself, my minion, is priceless! Just those little things freed up so much time that I was able to get a little more sleep and a lot more writing done. My minion is priceless and she has received two raises in the last six months. I love her to pieces!
    My husband, God love him, started to cook more and my 15 year old son now knows how to do laundry ;o) (Although he's not allowed near mine! lol)
    Writing is and always will be worth all the up at 3:30 mornings, the staying in all weekends, and the countless pots of coffee! ;o) That first year was a tremendous learning experience. And writing is worth every headache! ;o) Keep up the most excellent work!

    Suzan

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  5. Pamela SherwoodJanuary 31, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    Oh, God--this sounds so familiar. Everything seems to happen all at once, doesn't it? Starting in October, I was dealing with my second book's deadline, the promotion for my first book (out in December), the interviews and blogs for the virtual tour, and the upcoming Christmas holidays. Plus all the usual busyness that goes with day-to-day life. There were days I thought my head was going to explode because there was just too much stuff in it.

    As you say, it's all worth it in the end, to be a writer and have your books finally out there. But I sure hope I get better at juggling all this! Best of luck with your deadline!

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  6. ShanaJanuary 31, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    I have been there--can't say I added the green beans, though.

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