Rose Tremain told a good deadline story at this year's London Book Fair. She said that in order to finish one of her novels (which I think was Restoration) she borrowed a friend's flat and locked herself away for a couple of weeks. However, she soon ran out of food apart from yoghurt, toast and sherry, which she combined in imaginative ways! Clearly a winning diet given the success of her writing. Looking around my kitchen I wonder if Fruit & Fibre, Haribo gummy aeroplanes and Campari would work just as well...

Adele.

Hi, I'm a newby here. Regarding deadlines, as a journalist myself I can understand the need for deadlines. In fact I work better with them no matter what I am doing. I think we journos get into the habit of setting them for ourselves and we all know how difficult it is to kick a habit. I know if I don't set myself a deadline it won't get done, or at least I will become lazy about the job. I've never missed a deadline in my journalistic life but if I set a date to finish something and it arrived with no end to the project in site, I can always set a new date. Great site by the way. Am enjoying it all immensely.

Hello and welcome, I'm also a newbie... I used to be a journalist as well and have the habit. But I found it very frustrating to deliver a novel on dedline, when I KNEW it needed another revision.

I have a serious incentive to finish my novel by Christmas Eve (the deadline agreed upon by me and another writer friend for a complete first draft).

If we don't finish in time, we have to run naked through Crystal Palace Park. In December.

*types frantically*

Well, I'll be busy on Christmas Eve, but let me know what time and I'll try to be there to cheer you on...

xx

Can you post a photo in case we miss it?

Sounds like you WANT her to miss the deadline... I thouhgt this group forum was suppsoed to be supportive! ;-)

No no no! We’re just at the stage where experience overcomes hope!!!

xx


<Added>

Aruna, meant to say - welcome to the ranks of full membership.

x

Hey Sleek - mine went off in the post today. Only 4 months later!
Sue n

Just saw dee's welcome post above... thank you!

I have to be away more than I'd like because my broadband is off and I am using dial up again; forgot how SLOW it is. Back in a day or two....

Great, guys - even more of an incentive to avoid gawping crowds of spectators...

Heh heh. Maybe I'll finish on time and run naked in celebration.