Greetings! For this week’s new fiction introduction, I’m happy to welcome back my friend Allie Pleiter. Allie will be talking about deadlines and her newest book, Bluegrass Blessings, the latest in her Kentucky Corners series from Harlequin. So say hello to Allie!
I’d never thought of a deadline as a positive thing. More of a necessary evil–a fact of life for working writers, like the dreaded synopsis or proofreading. One of the best parts of being “pre-published” was the supreme lack of deadline. I loved waiting until that perfect next scene popped into my imagination, then came flying out of my fingers…. When I could find the time to write between kids, work, tiny details like food and laundry–you get the idea.
Recently, I placed myself in the crosshairs of a great big deadline. Voluntarily agreed to a timeframe for a project that, years ago, would have choked me. I’d gotten to the point where I was ready to tweak my own process, push at edges here and there to see what I could improve. A novella in 30 days is definitely the outer limits of my productivity.
I’m astounded to say it worked. I wrote faster and cleaner than I’ve ever written. Of course, I may eat my words once I hear from my editor, but the experience was still highly valuable. It was a grown-up version of the written-under-fire term paper. A creative all-nighter. I’m delighted to discover I can work well under pressure. I didn’t muck around, didn’t explore nooks and crannies, I got right down to it, found the story ASAP, and drove it forward at full velocity. Good things came from that.
Will I adopt this new speed from here on in? No. This was a definitely a sprint–I couldn’t do it long term. I like my weekends. This deadline hung just a little too heavy over my head. But this deadline taught me I can be faster than I think. I’ll push myself a bit more on my daily word count for my next book. Who knew a deadline could be a tool for improvement?
Writers, where do you need to push at the edges of your skills? You don’t need an editor dangling a deadline in front of you to create a challenge. Challenge yourself and see what happens. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Back cover copy:
BLUEGRASS BLESSINGS
BOOK 3 IN THE KENTUCKY CORNERS SERIES BY ALLIE PLEITER
ISBN 13#: 978-0-373-87538-2
Everyone in Middleburg, Kentucky lines up for baker Dinah Hopkins’s cinnamon rolls. Everyone except her handsome new landlord, Cameron Rollings. The jaded city man doesn’t like anything about small-town life–from the fresh air to her fresh-baked snickerdoodles. And he clearly considers Dinah as quirky as her eccentric oven. The way to Cameron’s heart is not through his toned stomach. But the Lord led him to Kentucky Corners for a reason. And Dinah plans to help him count his bluegrass blessings.
A little about Allie:
An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, doing laundry, running carpools, and finding new ways to avoid housework. She grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in Speech from Northwestern University, spent fifteen years in the field of professional fundraising, and currently lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing nine years ago has given rise to a career spanning two parenting books, six novels including the multi-nominated MY SO-CALLED LOVE LIFE, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com
Thanks for visiting, Allie! And I don’t know how anyone else reacts when seeing your lovely cover, but I have to go find a cookie…
Join Me!