Comments on: Uber-Late Manuscripts

By: Hallona

Hallona — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:57:27 +0000

A couple of years ago, I was writing a book with a cowriter. When we started submitting it to agents, problems developed, and we ended up breaking up. One of the issues was deadlines (not the worst issue).

I wanted to jump right on the next book and get it finished faster than the previous one had taken. I felt that was important that we do the writing faster because if a publisher was interested, they were going to have a deadline. He was marketer and in a business where he often gets deadlines extended. Consequently, he pooed pooed by concerns about deadlines, insisting “Everything is negotiable.” The problem was that with him, writing a book was often last on the priority list.

When I read the blog, the first thought was that I was glad I broke up with him. I had an instant picture of complete disaster. Him procastinating and not doing much writing because he thinks the deadline can be negotiated. And me in a panic, doing most of the writing because he was procrastinating.

By: Diana Pharaoh Francis

Diana Pharaoh Francis — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:29:54 +0000

Over eight books, I’ve had to ask for extensions twice. Both were health related and were for a few weeks. One problem with missing deadlines is that it also is dreadful for the author. It shortens the next deadline considerably. So missing can screw up your own writing schedule, as well as the publisher’s. Generally speaking, it’s a very bad idea.

Where I run into trouble is with revisions. Frequently editors can be so swamped that they send the editorial letter with only a few weeks for major revisions. This is the part where I can really panic because then I have to try to nail down changes that are rippling through the novel and while it might start out as a series of small revisions, inevitably it becomes something much greater.

By: Cara Putman

Cara Putman — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:30:41 +0000

I have an excel spreadsheet where I track my word count. I have a word count per day and know that if I am low on one day, I have to make it up later. The spreadsheet acts like my timeclock and helps keep me accountable while charting my progress. I also take those deadlines very seriously for all the reasons you mentioned. One time I asked my editor for a week because I had underestimated how much time an activity she knew about would consume. She very graciously have me a week, and I worked hard on that book and later books to turn in something worthy of her time.

I’ve also worked hard to build relationships with my editors and honor their time and schedules. In my mind that’s what a lot of this is. I made a commitment that the house has relied on. Now i have to produce.

By: Tom Balderston

Tom Balderston — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:07:50 +0000

Having met all deadlines, ask Tate Publishing, we are about to have our first book signing ahead of the Oct. 27 National Launch. The Title: Wake Up! Wake Up! The Testimony of a Layman. The author: Thomas W. Balderston. Video on the website provides some insight as to the contents.

By: Janet Grant

Janet Grant — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:44:05 +0000

Rich, if it’s any consolation, our blog has existed only since January, but I’m glad to hear the site as a whole has been a good resource for you. It sounds as though you’ve made a lot of good steps in getting momentum up in the writing process.

By: Rich G

Rich G — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:47:22 +0000

When I was first told to plan on only writing a couple chapters before looking at the agency/publishing side, my first thought was of absolute panic – trying to finish the rest on a deadline while balancing full time job / etc was overwhelming before started.

This post made me glad I made that decision. With the summer out of the way, son back in school, my wife and I are carving out regular blocks of time – not just minutes here and there – so I can proceed.f

The rewritten first chapter is close, and I now have an ‘office’ (ok, beat up old trailer in the neighbor’s lot) where I can hole up and avoid many of the distractions around the house.

Thanks for this and all the posts – I lost nearly a year as I started reading/researching the agents/publishing side of writing, I wish I’d have just found this site earlier!

By: Karen Frantzen

Karen Frantzen — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:04:02 +0000

Great post!

By: Carrie Padgett

Carrie Padgett — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:16:47 +0000

I agree with Richard’s comment.

That some would treat deadlines so callously is irritating, when many of us would love to have one. I work better with a deadline. I give them to myself and strive to beat them. It’s good practice for someday, I hope.

By: Valerie C.

Valerie C. — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:08:12 +0000

I think Richard made a very interesting point. Sometimes writers just know the process as wait, wait, wait, without having a clear concept of all the wheels that are turning on their behalf in the meantime. When they sign a contract now and see two years until it is scheduled to release, it can be hard to feel the same urgency. That’s no excuse for missing a deadline though. If you know it and agreed to it, then you do everything in your power to meet it.

By: Janet Grant

Janet Grant — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:53:24 +0000

I appreciate each of you piping up about your view of deadlines. Obviously many authors DO take them seriously, which is how the entire publishing industry manages to stay alive. Every aspiring author, every editor, and every agent offers a hearty thank you to each author who keeps the system humming.