for those on self-imposed deadlines

[007 fan]

I thought I would share what my spouse says to me whenever I don't meet a deadline I set for myself and I get upset about it.

When I was writing my current WIP and it was taking longer to complete than I first planned, he would say, "Well, it will take however long it takes.  Just write it good." 

As I polish the completed MS, and it's taking longer than I planned, he says, "Well, it will take however long it takes.  Just make it good." 

It always cracks me up.  lol   But it is true...quality is better than quickness.

[quiarahb]

I agree. We can't and shouldn't put so much on ourselves. If we don't meet a deadline, it's okay. It's not the end of of the world. A story should be finessed. So your hubby is right, and he sounds awesome!

[gogo5358]

He's so right. I have to remind myself of that when I'm working on my MS. Some days I feel like I get nowhere, and I'm just about ready to give up on making it work. Then I remember that time is not important, but making the MS as good as I can is. Then I get back to the grindstone with a little more patience. At least until the next time I feel like I get nowhere.

You've got a very smart husband ece. 

[Falthor]

"I love deadlines...  And I love the whooshing sound they make as they go by."
-Douglas Adams

It'll be done when it's done.

[MookyMcD]

Teaching four young girls how to fly fish involves untangling a LOT of knots. That's basically 90% of the job. Anyway, the exchange I always have with them when I'm doing that (to the point they roll their eyes, but that just means it's sinking in) is:

Me: You know how long it takes to untie a knot?

Daughter: (eyeroll) "'As long as it takes. Unless you try to do it faster than that, in which case it takes longer.'"

[Pandean]

Teaching four young girls how to fly fish involves untangling a LOT of knots. That's basically 90% of the job. Anyway, the exchange I always have with them when I'm doing that (to the point they roll their eyes, but that just means it's sinking in) is:

Me: You know how long it takes to untie a knot?

Daughter: (eyeroll) "'As long as it takes. Unless you try to do it faster than that, in which case it takes longer.'"

I'd believe teaching four young girls how to fly fish is a monstrous feat in itself. But then again, I'm terrified of fish. So...maybe other girls could do it.

__

Also, ece, it's my believe that the first drafts of novels will ALWAYS suck. if it doesn't, you're not doing it right.

[slightlysmall]

I definitely agree with your husband, ece. I started writing my book in November 2012. I wanted it finished and queried by the end of 2013. That didn't happen. Then I wanted to be agented by the time Alexis was born. That didn't happen. And while I've started querying, I'm still polishing the MS. It takes as long as it takes.

Mooky, your ad nauseum knot-untying advice is perfect.

[KimE]

Teaching four young girls how to fly fish involves untangling a LOT of knots. That's basically 90% of the job. Anyway, the exchange I always have with them when I'm doing that (to the point they roll their eyes, but that just means it's sinking in) is:

Me: You know how long it takes to untie a knot?

Daughter: (eyeroll) "'As long as it takes. Unless you try to do it faster than that, in which case it takes longer.'"

I make my husband bait the hook on my cane pole. now that's fishing!

[Sarah Ahiers (Falen)]

I make my husband bait the hook on my cane pole. now that's fishing!

That's what the menfolk are for