Thank you, dear readers, for your help with my next book. You’ve weighed in on possible titles. You’ve cheered me on, and cheered me up with your interest, prayers, notes of encouragement, and just being there as a silent witness. I took a week off from blogging because of Thanksgiving last week, but then and now I’m thankful for you all.
When I signed the book contract in January, I agreed to a deadline of October 1. For a short book of sermons that seemed doable. But with my husband’s sudden passing, I suddenly couldn’t write . . . until months later suddenly I could. After all, he was the one who had said to me, “You should write this book.”
So I started writing steadily again, though with plenty of time every day to rest and mourn and walk and pray and spend time with others. I had a few shorter writing assignments too, plus some speaking and other regular church involvements, and started my new job as editor of Rejoice!, a quarterly devotional magazine. I’ll have to tell you more about that in my next blog post, but I mention it now, because with all of these things happening at the same time, suddenly October 1 wasn’t quite as doable as I thought.
But hmmm, October 1 was a Saturday which isn’t normally a working day for the publishing house. Plus there’s usually some flexibility built in to their deadlines. So I contacted the publisher about taking some extra time, and sure enough, he said receiving my manuscript within “a week or so” of our original deadline would be fine.
So last week on October 12, I finally submitted my manuscript for This Ordinary, Extraordinary Life. I’m glad to have it done! At least for now. I’ll see it again through the editing process and may need to make some changes including the title, but for now at least it’s off my desk and on to someone else’s. Thank you for sharing this ordinary, extraordinary journey with me.
Writing/Reflection Prompt: When I’m faced with a deadline that feels too tight, one of my favourite strategies is to move the deadline. That worked well in this case, but may not always be possible or preferable. How do you deal with deadline pressure?
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April Yamasaki 
I always try to prepare well ahead of time so that I can avoid the panic at the end because I don’t like working under stress. Then I have time to go over my work again in a more relaxed manner. Some people work well under pressure but that’s not me. understanding yourself and under what conditions you work best is important.
Thank you for sharing, Elfrieda. I can work well under pressure/stress, but I’d rather not put myself through all of that. And like you, I also like to take the time to go over my work before finally pressing send/publish. This week I’m taking some time to think about how best to organize my various commitments going forward, and hope to have a better handle on all of that soon.
Congratulations, April! I know the great feeling of relief. Blessings in the next stages too.
Many thanks, Shirley – I’m savouring this time 🙂
Congrats, April, on the completion of your manuscript – This Ordinary Life/Extraordinary Life. I look forward to reading it!
Enjoy the calm in the storm! 🙂
Thank you – it’s a beautiful day in the neighbourhood! 🙂
😁👌