Sunday, November 29, 2009

Forty Minutes and Counting...

I have 36 days until the sequel to Prophecy of Days - The Daykeeper's Grimoire is due to the publisher and I am FREAKING OUT about this impending deadline.

Anyone have any great tips for writing under pressure?

I just got a good one today from author Teri Hall, who coincidentally also has a January 4 deadline for her second book, the sequel to The Line. Here’s her new trick:
  • Internet off.
  • Email off.
  • Already peed.
  • Already have drink in front of you.
  • Set timer where you cannot see it for 40 minutes.
  • Start writing and don’t stop until the timer goes off.
I’m going to try two sessions of it tonight!

Any other ideas?

20 comments:

Jennie Englund said...

Ask your friends to send thoughts/hopes/prayers.

Because we'll do it!

Anonymous said...

I am also freaking out a little about deadlines, so if you find a way to beat back the nerves/frustration/distractions, let me know! :)

Little Ms J said...

I like the timer idea! I only have self-imposed deadlines at this juncture, but I have to turn off the ringer to my phone, shut down the dinging noise that new emails make and before all that I typically go for a drive. I have mountains near my house and I drive through the canyon and just clear my brain of clutter. I spend a lot of money on gas when I'm working out a project idea in my head.

V. S said...

Have a glass of water next to you, no excuses to get up and drink something. Also, it helps to chew gum, really. : )

Thanks for becoming a follower on my blog! I'll be sure to ass you on my debut author list for 2010!

Anonymous said...

Go back to the cabin. It is cozy, no internet, one TV station, extremely quiet (lodge closes for the season Dec. 2). Even the blue jays seem to have left. Only nice mellow mule deer outside. Christmas lights on deck to keep you awake after dark.
Mom

Katie Anderson said...

I'm like you. I have 3 weeks. I sometimes use Freedom for macs. Do you have a mac? It's great! And I like to leave my phone in my car so I don't answer. But it's not near as bad a distraction as the internet.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Turning off the internet is probably the biggest thing, and the timer idea is interesting. I'm going to try it. My only deadlines of the moment are my own, but I found when I told myself (for NaNoWriMo) that I had to write 2K a day, I did. I don't know why it worked but every day I thought I can't and every day I did. I kept a chart on my desk with the word count to be ticked off each day.
Good wishes to you. I'm sure you'll make it.

Teri Hall said...

LOL! To be fair, that idea is not my own--I saw it somewhere and in my desperation decided to try it. But it works! As long as you don't cheat. Which, unfortunately, I do.

And my deadline is Jan 1! I am soooo jealous of your 3 extra days.

Barbara Slaton DRE#01855977 said...

Gummy bears!

Aunt Barb

Robin Mellom said...

Children can survive a LONG time on Spaghetti-o's.

Good luck--you can do it!!!!!

Kimberly Derting said...

I don't care how you do it, but you need to get on it...cause I just know you're gonna blow our minds. And in case you haven't heard, 2012 is HOT! ;)

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

i cant wait! :)

Tina Laurel Lee said...

I didn't response when you posted. But I'm thinking of you. Hope the words are coming fast and furious.

Christy Raedeke said...

Thanks, everyone for your words of encouragement. And for your patience as I put the blog a bit on the back burner - must crank out book 2...

Anne Spollen said...

The days are counted...oh boy.

A large supply of really good chocolate by your keyboard. Works every time.

Anonymous said...

Start smoking. Good Luck!--Marcia

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Faith Larraine said...

I would like to know if your timer and turning everything off method worked for you? I would like to try that...as well as try to write a book :)

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Already peed is good advice. That's the one that always gets me in trouble.

sf