It’s funny how good intentions, routines, and healthy habits seem to fly right out the window when I’m on deadline. I’d like to blame the sinus infection I was fighting last month when I turned in my latest manuscript; however, I don’t have much of an excuse for the other four books in the Lords of Vice series. On New Year ’s Eve, I was reflecting on the pattern that always seems to emerge around deadlines.
1) Slacking off at the gym. It starts out innocent enough. I begin to stress about the how much time I have left before I turn in a manuscript. In those final weeks, every hour counts. I calculate that I’m spending five hours at the gym a week. Double that amount to factor in the time it takes me to drive to and from the gym and the shower afterward. That’s ten hours a week I could be writing! Forty hours in a month. I finally convince myself that a brisk walk around the neighborhood a few times a week will suffice, but soon I’ll find a good excuse not even do that. Last month, I had a pretty good excuse. I was on antibiotics for two weeks and I had to reduce my exposure to the sun. Even my husband couldn’t debate me on that one.
2) Eating healthy is history. Most of the time, my diet is very healthy. Lots of fruits and vegetables and lean cuts of meat. When I’m on deadline, I want carbs. Bring on the junk food! Chips, pretzels, sandwiches—anything that’s quick so I can get back to the keyboard. I also get a weird craving for licorice. I know I’m close to finishing a book when I have to buy Twizzlers.
3) Sleep is optional. When the story is flowing, I begin to cut corners on my necessary eight hours of sleep. I find myself mentally writing scenes instead of sleeping, and insomnia kicks in because I don’t want to forget all that great dialogue. I do keep a notebook next to my bed for random inspiration, but if I’m committed to an idea, I usually just get back up and write it.
4) Pleasure reading. This one is a difficult one to give up, and it explains why my TBR pile has turned into a small mountain. When I’m on deadline, the only books I crack open are research-related.
5) TV and movies. This sacrifice tends to annoy the family because there are several shows we watch together. Over the Christmas break, my youngest daughter and I finally made it to the theater to watch Breaking Dawn. Naturally, when we stopped at the concession stand, the one candy she had to have was—you guessed it—Twizzlers!
Now that I have a little breathing room until my next deadline, I’ve returned to my healthier lifestyle. I’m back at the gym. Ugh, that first week was painful. That should be incentive enough not to slack off again. These days, I’m eating good carbs. Twizzlers are off my grocery list. The insomnia is gone, which is a relief. I’ve missed my bed. And over the holiday break, I was able to catch up on some of my pleasure reading and TV shows.
This has all the makings of a New Year’s resolution, doesn’t it? I’d agree, but I know all my good intentions are going to slip away when that next deadline approaches!
[Ed. Alexandra is giving away two books today – first winner will receive a copy of Sunrise with a Notorious Lord and the second will get their choice of any other Lords of Vice novel – so be sure to leave a meaningful comment or question for her!]
Oh, it’s so easy to rationalize ourselves away from the gym, isn’t it? Grrrr… And thankfully, now that DVR is here, you can save all those TV shows and watch them once your book is turned in. Silver linings!
Though I have to say, obviously your routine works for you 🙂 I love the Lords of Vice books. Can’t wait to read Vane’s.
I love DVR . . . and Netflix, On Demand, and the Playstation 3 store. There’s so many ways to catch-up on TV shows and movies. 😀
What you have just described sounds like bringing home a new baby. It really is much the same. I mean who has time to eat right, go to the gym, watch tv, or sleep when there is a new baby in the house? Then again, I’m sure every new book is much like a baby to you. I’m loving the LOV series and don’t like how long I’ve calulated it will until we finally have Frost’s story. I’m thinking at least two, what would be pregancies. 🙂
Deadline hell is really the perfect description for this, because it sounds like hell. I have never been good with deadlines, because they tend to make me crazy. I remember my master thesis. What just three months and all the research, how could I ever make this in time, but in the end it worked out. Although I hated the pressure.
LOL, how true! I have three kids, and sleep was definitely elusive. It’s one of the reasons why I started writing at night.
As for the next “baby”–Saint’s book is in my editor’s hands and I’ve just started Hunter’s book. Once I turn his book in, Frost will get my undivided attention. 😀
Danny, it is stressful, but there’s a point when I hit my “zone”. The story is flowing, and all I want to do is write. It’s a very productive time, but there has to be a healthier way to reach it.
I have a love/hate relationship with deadlines. I tend to lollygag right up to the very endo f when thigns are due to be finished, then spend manic hours trying to get it all done in one big blast. Needless to say, this causes a heck of a lot of stress and unhappiness. You’d think by this point in life I would know better, but I don’t. I’m just terrible that way..lol
Rebekah,
It seems like the chaos is part of the creative process. 🙂
Alexandra: Are u related to my son? He’s 13 and believe me getting him to meet homework deadlines is worse then labor pains. He had over a month to do his last project (to make a memory book) and he finished it last night. We could not get him to do it. He finally did it when I threatened he wouldn’t be able to have the Valentines day party he and his friends asked to have at our house.
Alana,
Oh, I’m not putting my work off to the last minute. 🙂 I work 6-7 days a week. For example, part of today was dedicated to promotion, revisions on one book, working on the first draft of another, and still I managed to include grocery shopping, working out at the gym, and balanced meals. There’s just something about that last month of a deadline. All good habits fly out the window so I can focus on getting my manuscript finished.
Hi Alexandra,
I have to say how much I admire all you wonderful authors who manage to not only keep us entertained with your books, but also still run a home and family. I just don’t know how you do it, especially when you’re on a dead line.
You said in your interview that your TBR pile is now a small mountain. Do you by any chance have a favorite genre that you read, or are you open to other genres too? I only ever read Historical Romance novels which I thoroughly enjoy. Thank you for this opportunity.
When I was in college, sleep was optional to the point of convincing ourselves that we really didn’t need to, at all. It’s a little hard to kick that habit, especially when I’ve got a good book in my hands! xD;
Diane D.–
Thanks. Honestly, it’s readers that make all those sleepless nights worth it!
It’s no surprise that romance is my favorite genre. I started out reading exclusively historicals, but one day I broke down and picked up a contemporary. It was Jayne Anne Krentz’s TRUST ME. It was the first of many. These days, I pretty much read everything.
Julie–I remember pulling all nighters in college, too. LOL, my bad habits are older than my kids. 😀
In frost book when he gets one will you explain why hes so against falling in love? Also is there a specific character you liked the most writing about so far? I love your Lords of Vice series i always recommend people to read it when they ask me what book i would recommend them. I even got my sister into the series, although i own all the books after she read them she went out and bought a set of copies for herself because she wanted to own her own books lol
Hi Alexandra, agree with you when we are on deadline we tends to love unhealthy food. I Also got the same problem few months ago . I have to finish all of my uni assignment and it seems like I always have excuses to procrastinate doingu assignments till the very last minutes and even hours. During that time it seems like I can’t get enough of McDonald and all the other fast-food stuff, well the fast-food stuff have become my fave foods during my stressed out times.
Jeannette–Thanks for introducing your sister to the series! Re: Frost–Definitely. At the moment, only my agent, editor, and I know all of Frost’s secrets. 🙂 As for a specific character . . . it’s difficult to pick a favorite. Each one has his strengths and weaknesses, and I fall in love with each one as I work on their books.
Aretha zhen–McDonald french fries–Yum! LOL, but I’m being good this month. Well, except for being up late tonight. Ignore the time stamp. 🙂
I’ve been lousy at setting any goals. Last year I actually read more books than usual however my chores around the house are suffering. I try to get exercise on a regular basis but sometimes I can’t get to the gym after work but I will try this year to go more often.
Happy news today–SUNRISE WITH A NOTORIOUS LORD hit the USA Today bestseller list!
Congradulations!!! Hope it remains there for a long time.