How I Wrote 38,880 Words In 6 Days
I know it sounds crazy and most of you would probably agree. Writing 38,880 words in 6 days is an achievement but it came at a price. It will probably go down as my biggest mad dash to compete a deadline in my history as a freelance writer, and while I’m really proud to have managed, I’m still trying to get over the tiredness that has grabbed me since I finished.
But let’s backtrack a little shall we: See, this job was meant to be done while cruising the South Pacific ocean, using some quiet time to find a lovely place on the ship and write away happily for a few hours a day. Little did I know that there is so much to do on a cruise ship and that the last thing I wanted to do is work.
Instead, I indulged into the lifestyle of glitz, 5-star services and jetting to some of the most beautiful places on earth. To say I enjoyed this cruise is an understatement – I absolutely loved it and given the chance, I will do it again and again.
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Who would want to work while sailing under the Sydney Harbour bridge, or while docked in a stunning lagoon off Mystery Island in New Caledonia? You guessed it, nobody in their right mind and neither did I.
So the deadline to finish the job while I got back home was looming over my head. I had to do this, regardless whether I had to work late nights and early mornings. And initially it all panned out really well – until I got sick with a nasty throat and ear infection and very high 40.5 Celsius fever. So off to the doctor I went, grabbing some life saving antibiotics while facing even bigger stress levels to finish on time.
Luckily though I was able to extend the deadline by a couple of days, thanks to a generous client, and this was what I needed to finish this crazy job in such a short amount of time.
I have always been a person of extremes and pushing myself to my limits makes me perform much better than if I had ample time to do the work. I suppose it is that “last minute” pressure that makes you pull out all stops and has you firing on all levels right up to the last minute.
However, there is always a prize to pay and my prize is the fact that I usually get sick when I do something crazy like this. Lack of sleep, lack of decent food and pressuring my body to perform inhuman tasks do certainly take it out on me.
While it was worth the effort for the paycheck, next time I plan to give myself what I deserve – a non-working holiday. Work can wait, even if it is a great paying job like this one. After all, we all need some time to sit back, relax and drink some tasty “White Ladies” while watching the setting sun turn into a red fireball.
Monika
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Brett Legree | Feb 19, 2009 | Reply
Monika,
Just looking at the pictures, I’d have done the same thing!!! Awesome is all I can say when I just got back home and it is -20 outside *brrrr*
I figure sometimes we do our best work when we know we don’t have all the time in the world.
Parkinson’s Law: Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law
The place where I currently toil is living proof of this. If I work at home, I can get my day’s work done between 8:00 and about 9:30 or 10:00. But at work, it takes all day – because of other people.
Nearly 40,000 words would take months where I work – yet I know that I, too, could do this on a deadline.
And so I say, good on you – and here’s a nice flat white to help you kick back, as you deserve it
Passive Income - Lis | Feb 19, 2009 | Reply
I figured something like that had happened to you since we hadn’t heard from you since the holiday! That’s an impressive effort though – I’m glad I’m not the only one who sits staring at a blank screen looking for inspiration for the post which is due in the next hour or so! I’m trying to get better because I am much better at proofing the day after but… procrastination I guess its called!
Monika | Feb 19, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: LOL, I figured you would and I certainly don’t envy your location right now with cold weather like that. Brrr…but I do know what you mean when you say you get a whole day’s work done in a couple of hours at home.
Just proofs how much time is wasted in corporate and not so corporate environments.
Thanks for the flat white. You wouldn’t guess it, but even on the cruise ship we got some really high quality coffee in a couple of locations.
@ Lis: Yep, it happens to all of us for sure. I’m sure you get it all done as you should. Deadlines are amazing things that carry a ton of power, hehehehe….
Vered - MomGrind | Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
I can’t blame you for refusing to work while you were on that cruise! Wow. Looks like the trip of a lifetime.
Brett Legree | Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
Today’s even worse!!! Snow and freezing rain… but at least I get to go to Friar’s house tonight
so a couple of beers will make the cold go away.
I think those cruise ships are really starting to give the deluxe treatment so maybe I’m not so surprised – and as you know a good coffee when you have one, I trust your judgement!
Monika | Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
@ Vered: It was! I think both of us agree that this was one of the best holidays we’ve ever had if not THE BEST. I can’t recommend this highly enough to everyone of you guys.
@ Brett: Sounds like fun. Give him my regards will you!
You’d be surprised how good their service really is. Beats anything I ever saw on land, especially here in Oz. Perhaps a 5-star hotel in the UK or a Michelin star restaurant can out-perform them, but other than that, no chance.
Brett Legree | Feb 20, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
Friar says hi
I was thinking, perhaps one reason why a cruise ship definitely has to outperform pretty much anything on land is that, well, the customers are sort of “stuck” for a week! And so, if it is really really good, you’ll tell everyone how good it is, and if not… whereas with a restaurant, if it is good, you tell people and if bad – maybe, maybe not.
I’m quite certain any old cruise ship would be better than the best “2-star” restaurant where I live
Monika | Feb 21, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: Very true. Your comment certainly strikes a point. Thanks for Friar’s hi too.
Glad you guys had a relaxing night while cradling your beers.
Brett Legree | Feb 21, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
You’d have been welcome round the table too – though we can’t wait for the snow to leave so we can have bonfires!
Looking at your pictures has inspired us actually – we’re looking at a quick getaway ourselves (Cuba – though we’d like to go to New Zealand again soon, it is a major undertaking!!!)
Monika | Feb 22, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: I would have liked that myself. A nice goss with the boys is always fun.
Kevin Hassett | Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
Great pics from the trip! Looks like you went to some truly amazing places. I like the new holiday look style you have going on there too!
The 38,880 is serving as strong inspiration for me at the moment as I am faced with a daunting, seemingly impossible-to-finish task at work that I’m sure I will find a way to complete somehow. Just seems to work out that way often times.
Nathalie Lussier | Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
Wow talk about congrats! That’s a massive amount of word! I’ve done NaNoWriMo before, which is 50,000 in 30 days… but seriously 6 days is crazy! I’m glad you now have the time to rest up before you attempt another big push like that.
Your pictures were great! I’m reading “The power of full engagement” right now, and they are saying the same thing as you said: when you push yourself you can outdo yourself. Like more stress creates diamonds. But they also mention the need to recuperate & rest between periods of stress.
So take a good break and you’ll be all the better for it!
Monika | Feb 27, 2009 | Reply
@ Nathalie: Thanks! Yes I agree, rest and recuperation is a must for me now because I pushed myself over the limit on a few occasions in the past. I learned my lessons and don’t intend to repeat the same mistakes. Glad you liked the pics. Just thinking about the trip makes me all long to go again soon.
In regards to writing all that content, yes it was a CRAZY effort but had to be done. Not that i intend to do that ever again either, LOL. I guess this also qualified me for a NaNoWriMo in some ways?
Cath Lawson | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
Hi Monika – I don’t know how I missed this post with these awesome pics. I’m so glad you didn’t work on your cruise – it looks like you had a fabulous time.
Monika | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
@ Cath: Indeed we had the time of our lives. Wouldn’t want to have missed it and it was a good decision not to work there even so I was flooded on my return home.