Life happens.
We all get this. I am sure there is not a week that goes by when you have a day that goes wrong. You get up with the best intentions. You have a full list of things you are going to do, and then one thing happens and your world falls apart. By the time you crash into bed at the end of the day, you still have that list you never got to.
We call this life.
Writers are no different when life gets in the way of their careers. You will have days when you know exactly what you need to write to make that next goal, and then life shows up. But here is the thing that separates true writers from those who will not be successful in the publishing world. They find solutions and don't panic.
We know you have a deadline that was set by your editor or agent. Just like the deadlines for applying for jobs, filing taxes or voting, your writing due date is not going to change just like those other dates. It just means some adjustments along the way.
So, you couldn't write at the computer today? Have a pad of paper and outline all of those great thoughts. Write those lines down that you wanted your character to say. That can be done when you are sitting in a car waiting for your kids to come out of school, or even as that massively long train holds up your traffic. It may not be perfect, but you will be ready to go tomorrow when you hit that deadline.
I bring this up because too often, I hear authors fall behind and then immediately call their editor saying they are not going to make the deadline and want an extension. Yes, they are flexible, but as I have stated before, you now held up a lot of other people in the process.
If there is any big take away from this, it is simply to find a solution. Find a way to fix the problem. Find a way to move forward. And more importantly, find a way to NOT make an excuse. You are no different than the others around you!
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