Deadline Oriented
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One big advantage to being a freelance writer is not having to punch a time clock for an employer. Of course there are trade-offs for everything in life and in this instance us freelance writing types have traded in a time clock for a deadline. Most would say this is a worthy trade indeed. As a freelance writer how do you really feel about deadlines?
What is a deadline, anyway?
Well, first you’d think that they could have come up with a better name for the darned thing. Any common term related to a particular job field that contains the word “dead” is clearly not oriented to sunshine, rainbows and unicorns.
The term was first coined way back in 1864. Check this out:
While Col. Chandler did describe the deadline in his August 5, 1864, inspection report concerning the Andersonville prison, an earlier inspection report by Confederate captain Walter Bowie to Brig. Gen. R. H. Chilton, inspector general, dated May 10, 1864, also used the term to describe the line over which prisoners were forbidden to go. In it, Bowie wrote: “On the inside of the stockade and twenty feet from it there is a dead-line established, over which no prisoner is allowed to go, day or night, under penalty of being shot.”
The full article is here
Yikes. “…the line over which prisoners were forbidden to go.” Tell me THAT doesn’t describe how you’ve felt at one time or another.
Actually, a deadline is not quite that rough or set in stone. Unless there is some kind of clause in the writing contract, chances are you won’t be shot for stepping over the deadline. This is not free license to ignore a deadline. It is a “gentlemen’s agreement” if you will. It is based on a mutually understood and agreed upon set of time constraints.
Think about it. Have you ever had a project that really had no deadline, no due date? If so, where did this project always end up? That’s right, the fabled back burner.
It happens to the best of us
Any reputable and successful freelance writer tries their very best to deliver to the client a quality project under deadline. Most of us adhere to this because we are principled and because we want to keep our reputation intact. Oh, and there is always the “no-workee, no-payee” thing.
You can be the most principled freelance writer out there, but sometimes life is going to come crashing down your street and land on your doorstep. When that happens, what do you do? Do you curl up in the corner, thumb firmly planted in your mouth whilst you cling to a blanky? Do you flip through your excuse rolodex before sending the client a quick email? Let’s hope not.
This ain’t rocket surgery folks. On many occasions, The Writer’s Manifesto has stressed the importance of communication with clients. It is amazing what you can accomplish with a simple phone call or email explaining the situation. You show the client that you are a caring professional and you get the added bonus of not having to carry a giant weight on your shoulders as you duck phone calls and dodge emails.
Like it or not, deadlines are an everyday part of being a freelance writer. Now tell us, do you have any stories about deadlines gone wrong?
About the Author: A writer living in Alaska. A simple man with few passions: My daughter, writing, soccer and now and then a good cigar.
Earl Gile | Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
I never knew where the word deadline came from. I know now to get my work done in a timely manner or I might get blasted. LOL.
Mark | Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
You’re bored, aren’t you, Tumblemoose, me old mate? That’s two blog pieces in three days. Have you run out of small rodents to electrocute?
Mark | Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
For some reason I cannot fathom, a comment I just posted has disappeared to be replaced by a comment from someone called Keith G, who sounds like a stoned commie. If it was KENNY G I wouldn’t complain, because he’s a great sax player.
Mark | Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
Now I just posted that, my original comment has come back, and Keith G’s has gone. What the f…? Anyway, he was rambling about Capitalism in a pretty negative way. Please can someone else confirm they see strange messages from other people when they try to post or edit their own comments. Or have I just been abducted by aliens? It is March 1998, yes?
Brett Legree | Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
Hmm. Well, I’m not a freelancer (yet) and where I work, it is rare that we get to have a realistic say in when our deadlines are set. Management always adjusts things to tighten up the schedules.
What this means is that the management overpromises, consistently, to their bosses – why wouldn’t they, because they work evenings and weekends and so forth – and then, those of us with lives are constantly being beaten over the head for “missing deadlines”.
Well, *excuse me* for not working 80 hours a week when I have a family.
And sadly… well, most of it is artificial. Nothing we do is earth-shattering or life-saving, so it can be a bit demoralizing to have unrealistic expectations all the time, and negative reinforcement.
(See why I’m looking to leave? Many would ask why I haven’t already, well, there are no other companies where I work that pay as well – I make almost 6 figures – and it will take a while before I can do that kind of thing on my own… so I’m more likely to be able to move to another city, or even another country, first.)
Mark | Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
Seriously, I like deadlines. Deadlines mean I still have some work, and in the current GFC that is not to be sniffed at.
Chris Anderson | Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
That’s pretty neat about the origin of deadline. Not a bad way to think about it. But ya, I like deadlines too. That’s usually when I work the hardest lol. It’s a great way to create focus anyways.
tumblemoose | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
Hey Earl,
Oh yeah, I’ve felt like I’ve had a laser sight on me once or twice!
George
tumblemoose | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
Hey Mr. Mark:
You keep hitting my funny bone. No shortage of small rodents up here, bubba. How could I possibly be bored when you’re around. I hereby dub you The Entertainment Committee.
So there.
George
tumblemoose | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
Umm Mark? Are you self medicating again?
tumblemoose | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
Brett,
That is actually a very moving comment. You have managed to put into one comment the whole subject of why writing can be so darned tough. it is about balance. It is about not ignoring the important parts of your life. Are the sacrifices you make at 80 hours a week really worth everything else? Only you can answer that question.
Lots to think about. I appreciate you coming by and contributing.
George
tumblemoose | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
Mark, that’s a great way of looking at it. ‘Cause I kn ow the folks over at VISA have some deadlines for me as well…
George
tumblemoose | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
Hey Chris,
Oh yeah, the fingers fly across the keyboard when a deadline is looming. I think it really is human nature.
As always, Mr. Chris I appreciate you coming by.
George
Michele | Writer's Round-About | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
Any common term related to a particular job field that contains the word “dead” is clearly not oriented to sunshine, rainbows and unicorns.
That is such a fantabulous sentence, George! And it’s So funny!
I love this. Great work!
Hmmm… Well, I was quite pleased that I had never missed a deadline–until I had several deaths in my family in a short time. I was horrified. Of course, my clients/editors were SO sympathetic and understanding. Still, I was absolutely heartbroken that my “I’ve never missed a deadline” image was tarnished. *sigh*
It took me a while but I eventually got back into the swing of things–then my computer crashed! Ugh. Thankfully, a local computer guy had me up (with everything restored and backed up) in less than 2 days. Phew! I could breathe.
Things have been good since all that. And I’ve rearranged my schedule to allow for some (well, a teeny bit) of breathing time for me.
Brett Legree | Sep 29, 2009 | Reply
George,
My pleasure! I very much enjoy your writing and this particular post rang true with me.
(And then today, a project I’ve been assigned, which I know is worthless… well, I was talking with someone unrelated to it, and he also said, “you know they’ve just got you working on something that will never bear fruit, with an artificial deadline.” I smiled and nodded… back to my office, to plan the next step of my escape…)
Monika | Sep 29, 2009 | Reply
@ George: LMAO, I can’t wait for your duel soon to be announced *hopefully. It’s mighty fun around here with you and Marky-poo lovey-dovey each other all the time.
tumblemoose | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
Hi Michele!
Very nice to see you here. I got caught a few times by not figuring in a life factor when setting a deadline. Learned me lesson, I did!
George
tumblemoose | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
Brett,
We’ll all be interested to hear the details of your escape plan. Hmmm. Sounds like a story?…
George
Michele | Writer's Round-About | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
Yeah, that thing called life gets in the way sometimes! LOL
tumblemoose | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
Monika,
Oh yeah, the “DR” of funny will be a blast to work with.
Dr. Pepper. hehe.
George
Mark | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
I’m just leaving this so I can have the last comment. No one post anything below this. This post is closed. Terminado.
Brett Legree | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
I’m writing a bit about it right now actually, as I write a memoir about my wife and children. It’s all part of the plan – stay tuned.
tumblemoose | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
Mark,
Haha! Someone posted a comment after you!
nee-ner nee-ner neeeee-ner!
George
Mark | Sep 30, 2009 | Reply
George, grow up. You don’t see me leaving immature comments, do you?
Monika | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: The memoirs of Mr Legree.
I admit, it does have a snazzy ring to it my friend. Good on you for putting the foot to the metal. I’m sure this will be a great book Brett. Have you got an agent yet or are you doing this for yourself at present?
Brett Legree | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
Slow and steady wins the race, they say.
No, I have not secured an agent – but I know who it will be, I just have a feeling about one agent – I’m going to write to them this week.
Monika | Oct 2, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: I wish you good luck with that. I really would love to see your book on the shelves of book stores one day, not just for seeing you accomplish a feat, but then I get to have another personalised copy, hehehehe… I’m currently collecting them. Marky-poo any news on my mail?
Hahahaha…
Brett Legree | Oct 3, 2009 | Reply
@Monika,
Thank you, my friend! I have a lot of great people cheering me on (such as yourself), so you’ll have that personalized copy one day. In fact, I plan to hand deliver it to you
Monika | Oct 3, 2009 | Reply
@ Brett: Woohoo, a hand-delivered copy. Sweet! You better get those words flowing fast. Meanwhile I’m chilling the beers for you.