Deadlines, Deadlines, Deadlines!
The writer's life plays out deadline to deadline. How to stay sane!
Writing isn’t for the faint of heart.
Often, it feels like there’s a scarcity of work … then boom! Suddenly, there’s too much, like that film Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. That was the case for me heading into 2024, as it became clear post-strikes that Hollywood was going through a major contraction, while traditional publishing was also moving at a snail’s pace.
The whisperings of doom and gloom ran rampant with everyone one i spoke to … “Stay alive until ‘25” was now being floated around Hollywood.
“Middle Grade fiction is impossible to sell!” “Editor’s taking over a year to read subs!” “Science Fiction is dead!” “Fiction Sales are FLAT across all genres and categories!”
Or versions of these cries for help! Hard not to feel completely demoralized when both of your chosen fields that you studied and worked your whole life for were crumbling into an AI dystopia worthy of Phil K. Dick. before your eyes.
Or maybe it was more like … HUNGER GAMES. Kill or be killed!
Those at the top were fine—more than fine—cashing in. While everyone else, midlist and below, was struggling for morsels of projects. I felt the crush of depression.
Two Hollywood projects long strived for DIED in the spring. One at a major studio with a great package fell victim to post-strike contraction (as did so many tv and film projects). Nobody wanted to take a risk and high budgets were out (even though science fiction was one of the only bright spots in TV and film). The other project fell victim to a competing project … but it’s also symptomatic of rampant risk aversion.
Hollywood and Publishing are both falling victim to MBA/tech bro thinking. What matters is squeezing out the most quarterly earnings, not the long view of creating impactive literature and cinema—including commercial genres—and investing in creators, building them up so there will be a NEXT Stephen King, etc.
It was all BIG IP. That’s B to B (business to business). BARBIE is the perfect example. Warner Bros does a deal with Mattel. Rather than buying and original IP from a creator. They invest in what’s already been built and marketed. But how long can you squeeze out sequels, prequels and more? Before everything dilutes in quality?
Traditional publishing also wanted sure things rather than taking any risks and investing in building author careers.
As a writer, the only choice I have is … to keep writing. It helps that I get really stubborn after facing rejection and pivot—and find the path forward!
Now, we’re barreling into summer and I have too much work. I’m on double deadlines—one for the sequel to A SACRIFICE OF FLESH AND FURY—out in September. It’s a dual POV, big worldbuilding space romantasy that will come in over 100k words.
Not a small undertaking!
Then a big work-for-hire project popped up with an offer to my agent on a super tight deadline. I am in the YES business—and this project is near and dear to my heart.
Throw in a SHERLOCK HOLMES short story for an anthology that funded on Kickstarter, and I’m writing non-stop. But I am grateful for each opportunity.
Creative work can feel like feast or famine.
But to get paid to write and have my stories and books out in the world means everything. I’m not afraid of hard work. And I’ve gotten kind of good at this novel writing thing … after only about thirteen or so books and countless stories.
How to stay sane on writing deadlines?
Make a plan and give yourself assignments.
Compartmentalize what you focus on each day.
Do the prep work. Make sure to have solid beat sheets or outline, so you're not lost in the trenches and your writing goes sideways.
When in doubt turn to community and get help. Having a regular workshop or critique group can help you not feel alone and get great feedback at the same time.
Remember that… This too shall pass!
Also, remember that deadlines are great because they get you to actually write and produce work. They mean that you'll have some thing actually finished.
Keep the big picture in mind! Remember why you started writing in the first place and what you're trying to build… Which is a sustained career as an author.
Additional notes from the writing trenches:
It’s WILD to write the sequel to a book that 1) isn’t out until September and 2) that you don’t know if anyone will read or love … cue anxiety!
Luckily, the summer is for first drafts. I have great editors and will get the opportunity for revision work and have other eyes on my stories.
Deadlines do something GREAT … they make you actually WRITE.
By the fall, I’ll have two more books out in the world no matter what.
I HOPE to close more deals in the meantime. I’ll also be penning SACRIFICE BOOK 3 …
MORE AUTHOR UPDATES
STOKERCON
My next stop as an author is STOKERCON, hosted by the Horror Writer’s association. This year, it's being held in San Diego.
I have a pretty packed schedule for the weekend. I'll be teaching another workshop for Horror University on “Worldbuilding for Horror Authors.” I also have two panels on Saturday. One is on writing middle grade horror, and the other is on writing IP.
PREORDER ‘A SACRIFICE OF BLOOD AND STARS’
“Fourth Wing” and “Divine Rivals” meets “The Expanse” in A Sacrifice of Blood and Stars, the first book of an enemies-to-lovers sci-fi series for the ages.
“Conjures the magic of romance amid the horrors of a war-torn future. Fast-paced, filled with action, and alive with love and need. Highly recommend!” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times–bestselling author of the Sleepers War and NecroTek“OLD MAN’S WAR meets DEAR JOHN. An epic love story set against the war-torn stars." —Scott Sigler, #1 New York Times best-selling author
Until next time … Happy Writing!