Comments on: I Hit My Deadline http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/ America's Mad Professor of Fiction Writing Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:24:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Daniel Smith http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7882 Daniel Smith Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:44:43 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7882 Congrats on reaching your deadline, Randy! Congrats on reaching your deadline, Randy!

]]> By: yeggy http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7884 yeggy Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:01:30 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7884 Brilliant, Randy! I'm out of the fiction writing loop as I'm studying this year. Today is the last day of my holidays. Look forward to hearing more about your book when it's published. :-) Brilliant, Randy! I’m out of the fiction writing loop as I’m studying this year. Today is the last day of my holidays. Look forward to hearing more about your book when it’s published. :-)

]]> By: Arnie Birkeland http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7885 Arnie Birkeland Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:15:39 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7885 "I love deadlines. I like that whooshing sound they make as they fly by." Douglas Adams “I love deadlines. I like that whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” Douglas Adams

]]> By: Judith Robl http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7886 Judith Robl Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:01:03 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7886 Way to go, Randy! Was there ever any doubt that you'd make the deadline? Not likely. You're to compulsive. Timeline for publication?? Way to go, Randy! Was there ever any doubt that you’d make the deadline? Not likely. You’re to compulsive.

Timeline for publication??

]]> By: Judith Robl http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7887 Judith Robl Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:01:40 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7887 Drat! I didn't edit. That should be "too compulsive" not "to". Drat! I didn’t edit. That should be “too compulsive” not “to”.

]]> By: Chris http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7888 Chris Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:49:16 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7888 Congrats! I'm really looking forward to reading the finished work. Congrats! I’m really looking forward to reading the finished work.

]]> By: Sylvia http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7890 Sylvia Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:23:14 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7890 Congratulations, Randy. I'm really looking forward to reading the finished product. Congratulations, Randy. I’m really looking forward to reading the finished product.

]]> By: Tim http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7891 Tim Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:39:43 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7891 Congrats on meeting your deadline, that would be an interesting conversation to have on your blog talking about deadlines and making sure you make them. Could fit into the habits of writing. Just thought, but again congrats looking forward to buying and reading the final product. Congrats on meeting your deadline, that would be an interesting conversation to have on your blog talking about deadlines and making sure you make them. Could fit into the habits of writing. Just thought, but again congrats looking forward to buying and reading the final product.

]]> By: Shruti Chandra Gupta http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7893 Shruti Chandra Gupta Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:00:07 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7893 Whew! 120,000 words in four months? I can never even dream of matching such speed. Congrats on finishing the first draft. Whew! 120,000 words in four months? I can never even dream of matching such speed.

Congrats on finishing the first draft.

]]> By: Morgan http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7894 Morgan Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:23:16 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7894 Way to go! That's 30,000 words a month, and roughly 1,000 words a day (if you wrote each day). Whew! I feel tired thinking about it :) Way to go! That’s 30,000 words a month, and roughly 1,000 words a day (if you wrote each day). Whew! I feel tired thinking about it :)

]]> By: Lynn Rush http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7896 Lynn Rush Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:09:15 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7896 Whoo-Hoo! That's awesome!! Whoo-Hoo! That’s awesome!!

]]> By: Jeanette http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7897 Jeanette Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:10:50 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7897 Congratulations Randy! What an accomplishment! I can't wait to read it. Congratulations Randy! What an accomplishment! I can’t wait to read it.

]]> By: Tuck http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7898 Tuck Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:47:30 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7898 Congratulations, Randy. Glad you made it (and yes, glad you flipped the words "Writing" and "Fiction" in the title!). Congratulations, Randy. Glad you made it (and yes, glad you flipped the words “Writing” and “Fiction” in the title!).

]]> By: Sheila Deeth http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7899 Sheila Deeth Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:31:01 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7899 Congratulations! That's an awful lot of words - some deadline. Congratulations! That’s an awful lot of words - some deadline.

]]> By: Janet http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7900 Janet Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:35:44 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7900 Congratulations. Look forward to reading it. Congratulations. Look forward to reading it.

]]> By: Karen http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7901 Karen Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:26:12 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7901 Congrats, Randy, another job well done. So what were the few things you reconsidered about fiction writing? Do we get off the hook on some of the grinding elements we get drilled with? Congrats, Randy, another job well done. So what were the few things you reconsidered about fiction writing? Do we get off the hook on some of the grinding elements we get drilled with?

]]> By: Camille Cannon Eide http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7902 Camille Cannon Eide Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:39:23 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7902 Randy sez: I’ve rethought a few things about fiction writing as I tried to make things simpler and better. DO tell. Of course we'll buy The Book, that's a given. C'mon, talk to us. About the book: Is there a section on how to approach the mind-numbing editorial revision letter? How many references to exploding helicopters vs. ACTUAL exploding helicopters?? Randy sez: I’ve rethought a few things about fiction writing as I tried to make things simpler and better.

DO tell. Of course we’ll buy The Book, that’s a given. C’mon, talk to us.

About the book: Is there a section on how to approach the mind-numbing editorial revision letter? How many references to exploding helicopters vs. ACTUAL exploding helicopters??

]]> By: Alan Langley http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7904 Alan Langley Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:55:14 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7904 While you were writing the book you asked for input on a number of issues but there's one topic - that of dialogue - that I'd like to mention, for what it's worth. From youe E-zine - May to September 2006 - I probably learned more from those four brief and simple Dilbert/Bossbert dialogue examples than any number of long, explanatory how-to-write essays on dialogue that I've read on the net. I understand that your book is now complete, but if you haven't already done so, and it's not too late, I think it would be great if you could squeeze a few examples of dialogue styles like the ones I mentioned. Regardless, I plan to buy the book when it comes out as I'm sure it'll be great. While you were writing the book you asked for input on a number of issues but there’s one topic - that of dialogue - that I’d like to mention, for what it’s worth.

From youe E-zine - May to September 2006 - I probably learned more from those four brief and simple Dilbert/Bossbert dialogue examples than any number of long, explanatory how-to-write essays on dialogue that I’ve read on the net.

I understand that your book is now complete, but if you haven’t already done so, and it’s not too late, I think it would be great if you could squeeze a few examples of dialogue styles like the ones I mentioned.

Regardless, I plan to buy the book when it comes out as I’m sure it’ll be great.

]]> By: A J Hawke http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7905 A J Hawke Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:38:42 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7905 Congratulations! You do set the bar high. 120,000 words in four months is daunting. I look forward to the discussions that the book will generate on this blog. I also would like to see some discussion on meeting deadlines. Not only the ones from publishers, but the deadlines we should be keeping with ourselves. The question for me is if I set a goal of writing so many words a week, will I respect my work enough to keep to that deadline. It is far too easy to let distractions move in and take over the time. Any ideas on how to do that would be appreciated. A J AJHawke.blogspot.com Congratulations! You do set the bar high.
120,000 words in four months is daunting.
I look forward to the discussions that the
book will generate on this blog.

I also would like to see some discussion
on meeting deadlines. Not only the ones
from publishers, but the deadlines we
should be keeping with ourselves. The
question for me is if I set a goal of writing
so many words a week, will I respect my
work enough to keep to that deadline. It
is far too easy to let distractions move in
and take over the time.

Any ideas on how to do that would
be appreciated.

A J
AJHawke.blogspot.com

]]> By: SENG http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7906 SENG Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:25:25 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7906 Congratulations! Congratulations!

]]> By: Deb http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7909 Deb Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:57:08 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7909 Awesome leader! I did 22,000 in one year, and I'm proud of that. I need to work harder. Awesome leader! I did 22,000 in one year, and I’m proud of that. I need to work harder.

]]> By: Angella http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7914 Angella Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:54:22 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7914 Nice, and you managed to squeeze in a writer's conference (or two?). Great job! A few (uh, 9) years back, I had a conversation with my editor about referencing "For Dummies" books, concerned that "For Dummies" would make readers feel like they were dummies. Our joint conclusion: all of us are dummies, that's why they make "For Dummies" books. And now I can't say Dummies without laughing so hard my full-body dummy bandages don't burst. Nice, and you managed to squeeze in a writer’s conference (or two?). Great job!

A few (uh, 9) years back, I had a conversation with my editor about referencing “For Dummies” books, concerned that “For Dummies” would make readers feel like they were dummies. Our joint conclusion: all of us are dummies, that’s why they make “For Dummies” books.

And now I can’t say Dummies without laughing so hard my full-body dummy bandages don’t burst.

]]> By: Dirty White Candy http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7915 Dirty White Candy Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:51:29 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7915 Wow - 120k words in 4 months - I'm impressed! AJ Hawke, your point about deadlines is interesting. What I find is that I have to respect my writing time - it's a job so it has priority. That's easy now I'm writing full time, but I used to have a part time job and so had to be very strict about not getting distracted from my goals. And yes, my house is very messy and I owe a lot of my friends dinner and letters! Wow - 120k words in 4 months - I’m impressed!

AJ Hawke, your point about deadlines is interesting. What I find is that I have to respect my writing time - it’s a job so it has priority. That’s easy now I’m writing full time, but I used to have a part time job and so had to be very strict about not getting distracted from my goals. And yes, my house is very messy and I owe a lot of my friends dinner and letters!

]]> By: Felicia Fredlund http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7916 Felicia Fredlund Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:12:33 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7916 Wow! That's some accomplishment. Gratz on meeting the deadline. Like a lot of the others, I'm also interested in knowing what you rethought and thoughts on deadlines overall. Wow! That’s some accomplishment. Gratz on meeting the deadline.

Like a lot of the others, I’m also interested in knowing what you rethought and thoughts on deadlines overall.

]]> By: Ann Isik http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7917 Ann Isik Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:10:25 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7917 I have a feeling 'Dummies' and Snowflake Pro will appear just in time for me. I'm very excited - I've just finished the planning of my novel using Snowflake and I'm on the brink of the first draft - some scenes having already been written and polished - I discovered from your last article I'm a 'Dean Koontz' type of writer! This has been a long road and one I didn't think I'd ever be taking - I can say that the first 'spark' was way back in 2005. One of the most important aspects of Snowflake, for me, is that it has enabled me to keep on writing while circumventing difficult life events. Many thanks and good luck. Annie I have a feeling ‘Dummies’ and Snowflake Pro will appear just in time for me. I’m very excited - I’ve just finished the planning of my novel using Snowflake and I’m on the brink of the first draft - some scenes having already been written and polished - I discovered from your last article I’m a ‘Dean Koontz’ type of writer!

This has been a long road and one I didn’t think I’d ever be taking - I can say that the first ’spark’ was way back in 2005.

One of the most important aspects of Snowflake, for me, is that it has enabled me to keep on writing while circumventing difficult life events.

Many thanks and good luck.

Annie

]]> By: Sally Ferguson http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7921 Sally Ferguson Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:45:39 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7921 That's great Randy! I just read in your July 7 ezine about email signatures needing only one link, and decided to change mine. Thanks for the tip! That’s great Randy!
I just read in your July 7 ezine about email signatures needing only one link, and decided to change mine. Thanks for the tip!

]]> By: Doug http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7922 Doug Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:25:12 +0000 http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2009/07/25/i-hit-my-deadline/#comment-7922 I was so glad for you when you told me you had made deadline while we talked at the OCW conference. I commented how it was too bad you didn't have a coaching class again. Coaching class??? You would have not only died from the heat, but from the overwhelming pressure of that pesky deadline. I am now very glad you didn't coach. You looked worn down emough. I am pretty doggone proud of you my friend!! I am not a fiction writer (yet) but I am buying the book anyway. I can then say I know this guy, and he wrote the first draft in four months. What an accomplishment!! I was so glad for you when you told me you had made deadline while we talked at the OCW conference. I commented how it was too bad you didn’t have a coaching class again.

Coaching class??? You would have not only died from the heat, but from the overwhelming pressure of that pesky deadline.

I am now very glad you didn’t coach. You looked worn down emough. I am pretty doggone proud of you my friend!! I am not a fiction writer (yet) but I am buying the book anyway. I can then say I know this guy, and he wrote the first draft in four months. What an accomplishment!!

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