Rushing

At the desk, 10:33 a.m.

I spent much of the morning rushing around. We had an Alex the Fey story due for the newsletter this morning. I'd planned on incorporating the last edits last night, but I ended up going to pick up the husband at his work. He works about an hour from here so it takes a while. I wasn't able to finish it which left a morning of scurry.

I was able to finish it in time for the pre-scheduled newsletter, so all's well that ends well.

It just occurred to me...

No matter who you are, no matter what you do, there's always going to be a moment of running around. I've heard seasoned best selling authors talk about their struggles to stay on top of deadlines as well as the amateur flash fiction writer trying to keep up with their blog, there's always going to be a moment when you're running.

This morning, Patti Digh told me (via Facebook) she had to cancel a trip to Cincinnati for the Flying Pig in order to meet an editor's deadline. Here's a seasoned author, with multiple books under her belt, who must give up a plan (to run none the less) in order to make a deadline.

It's just life.

For me, I take all deadlines as personal deadlines. Sure, I have editors who tell me to get them this or that by then. Once uttered, those dates become my personal deadlines, my game, and I'm competing against myself to get it done. It doesn't matter if it's a lunch appointment, an editors deadline, or a publishing date.

It's me against the timeline.

Who will win?

I've always been this way. I don't think it's quite normal, but what do I know about normal?

Do you rush in your life? Do you compete against yourself? the clock?

No answers here. Just what goes on at my desk, today.

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