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Thursday, May 26, 2022

MEETING YOUR DEADLINE

 by Patricia Bradley



Well, the book is in and I survived. Barely. I don't know if I've ever told this group, but I've never been good in math. Ever. And working on this book was no exception. 

I thought until late December that I had five months to write the book in. You know, like from January 1 to May 2. That's five months, right?

Like I said, math never was my long suit. It was right after Christmas, like the next day, that I realized that, no, there are not five months from January to May, and yes, I had a book due in four months. 

I had zip so far.

So what does a writer do when they have a deadline and are behind? BICFOK--Behind in chair, fingers over the keyboard. And that's what I did from January 1 to May 16--behind in a chair with my fingers over the computer. I discovered if I showed up, so would God. And on May 16 (after my editor was gracious enough to extend the deadline two weeks) I turned the book in.

This book will release in the Spring of 2023. My working title was Counter Attack, and time will tell if they go along with me on that. In spite of being pushed, I really enjoyed writing the book and actually still liked it when I read it for the 5th time. :-) Of course, I'll read it several more times before it's released.

So my question to you is, what do you do when you have a deadline and realize you're already behind? Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for a copy of Book 3 in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, Crosshairs!


Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next target--nor that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley continues her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series with a story about how good must prevail when evil just won't quit.

19 comments:

  1. I remember a time in college when I got behind on a paper because I had gotten sick and couldn't get it turned in in time. I told the teacher what happened turned it in a day late a lost some points on the paper.

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    1. My editor was very generous to give me a couple of weeks.

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  2. I have to be careful to plan ahead, because I'm a great procrastinator. I'm also somewhat of a perfectionist which doesn't help matters any! LOL

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    1. I'm not so much of a procrastinator as someone who works best under pressure. lol But I truly thought I had that extra month!

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  3. Whenever I've been behind on a deadline, I'd always pray. Asking God to help me and give me strength to finish my task and favor with people. I'm thankful He is faithful and answered my prayers.

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    1. Chanel, you better believe I was praying every day, most of the time for every sentence!

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  4. I panic! Then I start praying!
    Onlysis06

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  5. I’ve panicked a few times when I’ve had book reviews due and life gets in the way and I’m late. I hate disappointing anyone but sometimes things aren’t always in our control. Therefore pray and do the best you can. Blessings

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    1. I had a hard time getting started on the book--my mind simply wouldn't cooperate, Lucy. But God is good and it got finished!

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  6. I'm terrible about procrastinating, so if I'm behind the 8 ball I close myself up, tune everything else out and press on until the job's done.

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    1. That's basically what I did, LeighAnn... and prayed!

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  7. I get migraines so have to watch deadlines. If I get behind, I just work as hard as I can and hope for the best. I prefer to have things done ahead of time lol.

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  8. plan ahead
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  9. I do my best to finish it up as soon as I can. Glad you got an extension. Thanks for the chance to win a prize. Boxtopscrazy at gmail dot com.

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  10. I usually run around like a chicken with its head cut off. Example: the night before Thanksgiving or on Christmas Eve; I run around trying to get four pies baked for the next day. This usually happens in the evening after dinner because I spent the day trying to get everything cleaned up so I would have room to work. I make up to four pies. Two pumpkin and two apple crumb from scratch.

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  11. I am a chronic procrastinator! I remember in college spending many ENTIRE NIGHTS up finishing a project. I suspect that I'm not much better and a good example is that I'm always the last one to pack for a trip.
    Perrianne Askew
    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

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  12. I do the same as you! Keep my backside in my chair and get the work done!

    amybradsher at gmail dot com

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  13. I'm a planner so it's rare that I get behind.
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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