I once thought that I worked well under pressure, but it turns out I was tragically mistaken. I thought I thrived on deadline pressure--but I was only fooling myself.
For the last three or four months, I have been living under the belief that my writing deadlines were fierce and possibly unattainable. I've been beating myself up for NOT READING MY CONTRACT closer before I signed. I've got multiple things going in my life. The pressure has been building, and Mylanta has become my new best friend.
But then on Thursday I decided ENOUGH--it was time to know exactly what my deadlines were for the next five books. I hauled out my contracts and made a chart of when things are actually due and was pleasantly surprised.
Misapprehension #1: I thought I had to have the synopsis written for Booktown #5 by September 1st. Nope--it's not due until JANUARY first. First major sigh of relief.
Understading #2: The first Victoria Square book (A Matter of Murder) is due on December 1st. All too true. And, as the book is in good shape, I have plenty of time to polish it.
Misapprehension #2: Booktown #5 is due March 1st. Nope--it's not due until June 1st. Yea! I have nine months to write it (or six, if I don't start it until January--and that's not my plan at all).
Misapprehension #3: That I have only three months between deadlines for my books. Untrue. I have three months between deadlines of book and synopses. That is: synopsis for one book due in March (Victoria Square #2); Booktown #5 manuscript due in June, etc. Okay, September 2010 is a bit dicey as I have a manuscript due AND a synopsis due the same month (10 days apart), but with this much advance notice, I think I'm okay.
This is a HUGE weight off my mind. My only hope is that real life doesn't get in the way of these deadlines.
