Deadlines work for me. (Um, writing deadlines work... the shooting schedule for the next Our Spirit film keeps sliding around.) But I'll have to scramble to finish another chapter by the weekend. My writing goal has been a chapter a week on a different WIP and I'm committed to making that deadline, so it's two chapters this week. I'm a little stressed. But it's good stress.Is that possible? Good stress? I try to stay peaceful. But I like a writing challenge. Maybe I got used to this during a decade of producing a magazine for a big nonprofit where there was no choice but to write on demand. I think writing is the only place in my life where I don't mind stress. It's not stress. It's fun.
How about you – is there such a thing as good stress?
I've felt a little physical strain from working so much on the blogging aspect of writing as of late. But it's all for the greater good of the novel and my writing career, and I am rather enjoying it, too. I guess it's a fun sort of stress like you said.
ReplyDeleteI think the good stress is called drive! :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun in NE again! Yucky weather we're having though.
yes, yes and yes. There definitely is such a thing as good stress. Writing does that for me as well -- not always, but when things are happening I'm excited and stressed at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI think good stress is incorrectly defined. Try motivation instead. Have fun in the NE, I hope I get there someday soon. Never been.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've been in good stress situations. But I can't think of any right now so I'm just going to envy you your trip to New England. Land of my roots and one of my favorite places to be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for wisdom: Not stress but drive... motivation... Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWriting deadlines work for me too. I have dozens of non-writer things on my To Do list and they get ignored day after day. I can never ignore the writing though.
ReplyDeleteDrive and motivation - yes, I like that!
Yay for more family visits!! Good luck getting the work done. I think accountability is one of the best motivators!! Have a great trip!
ReplyDeleteoh, an Autumn in New England, I envy you :)
ReplyDeleteYay for the wise people who visit your blog. I can feel those words, drive and motivation. Have a fantastic time writing! And I can't wait to hear what you learn this next round of reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree that some level of stress can be good! Especially with the right attitude, and you've definitely got that. I want to hear what the nephew thinks of the chapters you read. That's so cute!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time in New England. And maybe you can post a couple of photos and make me jealous of the beautiful colors.
I think pressure can be good. I like deadlines, too--if they're realistic, of course. I always have self-imposed deadlines to keep myself moving forward.
ReplyDeleteYou're so lucky! I have family on the East Coast I'd love to visit!
Good luck with the chapter, and have a blast in New England!
I definately srite better under stress. Give me a deadline of yesterday and I can type ten pages easily.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
There's definitely such a thing as good stress! Too much is too much, too little makes you lazy. There needs to be some ^.^ I do wish my teachers weren't decided on having their mid-term exams two days in a row though...that's turning into a touch of too much stress ;) But good stress in writing = Good!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you--good stress rocks!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip!
I suppose there is such a thing as good stress, though I'm not sure that I've really mastered the art of good stress... the stress that overwhelms me normally wins!
ReplyDeleteHave fun in New England!
Definitely - depending on the situation, I find I work much better with a little added pressure :)
ReplyDeleteIt's all fun and games until revisions stumble along. Gah.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Don't feel alone; deadlines work for me as well.
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