Self-imposed deadlines and other forms of self-abuse

So close, and yet so farOnce upon a time, I had a goal. That goal was to be done with a tight first draft of The Panama Hotel by the end of October. Well guess what? Happy Thanksgiving!

When I started this sucker in early August. I had two things in mind. One was a well-organized outline. The other was Orson Scott Card’s advice to "make your first draft your final draft"––the preposterous notion of getting it all right the first time. If you know you’re straying, back up and fix it then and there. Do your research well enough that you can nail it down on that first draft. And by golly it was working. I wrote 10,000 words a week for the first five weeks, went to Seattle, finished my research, then came back and got stuck. Not stuck on the writing. Stuck with deadlines at work. Stuck with jury duty, on Halloween no less. I thought about wearing an executioner’s costume that day but figured it still wouldn’t get me out of serving). I’ve also been helping my lovely wife with her one big show each year–-she’s an artist and this is her one insane month of the year.

Oh well, the good news is, I’ve finished 300 pages that will only need a loving edit––no major rewriting. The bad news is, I can’t seem to find the time to polish off the last 40 pages. Maybe next week! Wait, is there some sort of holiday thing going on that I should know about?

Comments

[S William Shaw]

Good luck with the end. I could never do "the Card trick." I am not wired that way.

[Gin]

The phrase "best laid plans of mice and men" should end with something about mousetraps. Hang in there.

[Jamie]

Thanks. I just don't want to hen-peck the last few chapters–-really need 3-4 hours a night for a solid week to finish it. Maybe next week...

[Naomi]

Hey, 10,000 words a week is awesome. I wouldn't worry too much about missing the October deadline - it seems like you've got an incredible amount done in a short time. Congratulations!

[JLB]

Sometimes the best thing you can do is just step away for a little while, and do something else. Then you can return to your project with fresh eyes and fresh energy! Often times when life and other commitments sweep me away from other projects, it turns out I really needed the time away for a renewed perspective.

[kathie]

Hi Jamie, once again, we're on the same track. This first draft was tighter than any other I've ever written. But for me, there's lots to figure out through that first draft and then must fix in the edit/revision. I'm so happy with the first 50 pages, and it wouldn't take much to polish the rest...but like you, life is in the way. Keep us posted.

[anne frasier]

this is a tough time of year to write. i have the feeling my family is going to be holding empty plates under sad eyes this thursday. nobody seems to believe me when i say i'm not cooking.

i'm not. i'm not!!! they can't make me!!

good luck, jamie.

[Jamie]

I'm envious Annne. Just order pizza, it won't hurt anyone.

I do ALL the holiday cooking around my house...plus have a big commercial shoot on Wednesday. Next week is spent already...

[Jeff]

Good luck, Jamie.

[Amra]

Wow, I hope one day to be able to do a first draft as a complete one, but for me I think as I write. You'd doing a wonderful job if you have 300 pages that don't need much work. As soon as you have time I'm sure you'll finish it in no time.

[Bhaswati]

I will echo Amra's thoughts. It's remarkable that you have 300 pages of a near-final first draft. Good luck with the rest, too. I hope you find the time soon.

[Robin]

That is amazing to me that anyone can finish a manuscript treating it like that... That's my natural inclination, but I never get anywhere, and the only hope I have to make even the slighest progress is to treat it all as crap that will mostly go out the window. :) Good job with finishing something in the perfectionists ideal method. :)

[Jamie]

Scott Card said he essentially wrote all his books that way. He did say that he'd start and stop and chuck the whole thing and start again, but when it was working, he'd just blow it out. He wouldn't write draft after draft, fearing that it ends up a "frankenstein"--a collection of bits and parts from various places...

I had the ending and the beginning nailed. And a fairly tight outline, but gave myself the flexibility to move in and out of it. I've backtracked and chucked entire chapters, but really am leaving nothing to "figure out" later...