(no subject)

[katallison]

A lot of my friends are doing the Year in Review thing for their stories, which on the one hand is very cool--I dig reading people's evals of their own work, and it's given me the chance to revisit some good fiction from the past year--and on the other and more selfish hand is a wee bit depressing, since the only things I've finished and posted all year have been flashfiction. (Well, those and the Seekrit Santa thing.)

Which leads me to ponder--what do all those stories have in common? Why, the fact that they were written against a deadline. Which in turn leads me to the most astonishing and highly unlikely conclusion that if a thing's gotta be done by a certain date, there's a greater likelihood that I will, in fact, get it done. Gee, ya think? What a surprise.

So now--even though I've always protested that I don't *do* deadlines, not this girl, had enough of that in grad school, thank you kindly--I'm contemplating whether it might not be a good idea to contract with one or two friends to impose on me some deadlines for all the crap-in-progress that is lying around on my hard drive like so many torpid lumpy puddings. I'm not saying I'm *going* to do this -- just that it's one of those things that, however unalluring in prospect, would probably be good for me. (Like quitting smoking, and eating more vegetables, and going to the gym three times a week, and getting *organized,* and having some vestige of a social life, and ...)

God, as I think about it, I could develop (if I wanted) the Mother Of All New Year's Resolutions lists, because lord knows there is *no* area of my life, however minute, that could not stand a comprehensive tune-up and adjustment. If I had more youthful optimism and resolve, this would be depressing; as it is, I know myself well enough to know that if I can make an inch of progress on even *one* of these, I'll be doing damn well. But I am going to think about this deadline idea some more ...

Comments

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

Don't make yourself crazy, but if you decide you want to try it, I'd be happy to be your Official Deadline Imposer for the Fraser-as-priest story. (:

[katallison.livejournal.com]

Believe me, Laura, you're at the top of the list of those whom I'd call on, if I go forward with such an idea. *g*

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

Because I'm psycho anal? *g*

[katallison.livejournal.com]

Or 'cause you'd look so good in a Fiction Dominatrix outfit?

::g/d/r::

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

No need to d/r. I think I'm flattered.

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Heh. We can be deadline buddies. It's the only way I ever get anything written. *g*

[katallison.livejournal.com]

(::Turnbull-voice:: I always lacked discipline. How about you? Do you lack discipline?

I like the partners-in-misery concept. *g*

[chickwriter.livejournal.com]

I totally get the deadline thing. I hate them, but they are the reason things get done.

I have a manuscript due in spring...that would be a deadline of sorts, thing is, it's not enough of one. Spring could be March...or April, or even May. If I want to get technical, spring could be up until June 20th.

So, I empathize greatly.

Not that this is making me write any faster, mind you. ::g::

[lapillus]

I'm with you all the way on deadlines. If you'd like someone to pester you about either your Joe and Methos one or your Fraser as priest one I'd be happy to do it :)

[katallison.livejournal.com]

I will most certainly draft you for the Joe-and-Methos thing (which I had a big inspirational idea about last week, and of course I didn't write it down, but I think I can remember it ...)

[lapillus]

Sounds great! I can ask about it on Tuesdays *g*

[aerye.livejournal.com]

Dude. Dude! You know where to find me! I will be official Deadline Headmistress of Your Dreams, I promise!

Wow. That title sounds slightly kinky.

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

I think anytime you've brought in the word "headmistress," you've moved beyond slightly kinky.

[aerye.livejournal.com]

Wha--! Me?

::whistles::

::tries to look innocent::

[katallison.livejournal.com]

*g* It's a lot more innocent than Fiction Dominatrix, which is how I'd sort of pictured it in my head ...

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I started to do the meme, but realized I'd only written six stories this year. And that includes two drabbles. *And* it's not even at a rate of one every two months -- there were long, storyless stretches in there. And, of course, all but one were written either for actual ficathons, or just in response to challenges or requests. Sigh.

[ineke.livejournal.com]

Yes, unless I did that meme on 'hypothetical stories', then I'd be mighty stuck-o. I think I've only managed four this year -- all under 20k -- although the number of unfinished stories is enough to make me weep.

I'm looking forward to your Fraser-as-priest story with a slavering anticipation previously only to be found in those of the canine species...

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

I find deadlines work really well for me when they are 'real,' not artifically imposed. When I get a friend-imposed deadline, I usually have to ask them to put a present on the line if I succeed. In other words, if I deliver, I get a treat!

[tehomet.livejournal.com]

because lord knows there is *no* area of my life, however minute, that could not stand a comprehensive tune-up and adjustment. Yours and mine both, sister. :)

I usually don't make resolutions, but the vague plans I had last Christmas sorta worked out, for once, so I think maybe this year I'll make some more, and make them more detailed, too. *feels cheerful at prospect*