Hi Ho, Hi Ho. Off to Meet A Deadline we Go.
Big moment.
The many words I’ve written on many pages are going off to be sent off and scrutinised, discarded, red-carded, rearranged and tut-tutted. Or as commonly known, edited. I am going full adult. Hiring professionals. Getting invoiced. Peeps, I’ve been given a DEADLINE. I’ve adulted myself right in the kahunas.
My life with a DEADLINE, began as any good story does, with an innocent, oblivious protagonist skipping tra-la-la along the way, sucking on rainbow lollipops (literally made out of rainbows) and singing to the bluebirds (literally birds that are blue) who follow her around and feed her pieces of Cadbury Dairy Milk Lamington chocolate, which is rarer than unicorn rainbow tears and the only exciting thing about the Olympics.

Put it back on the shelves, Cadbury, for the love of god.
Life is good in La-La Land.
Our protagonist *cough* me, has conversations like this –
Stranger who looks a lot like Tom Hiddleston – ‘Well goodness gracious me, what a fine looking deadline you have there, Miss Incredibly Attractive Person.’
Me – ‘Why, thank you Equally Incredibly Attractive Person. I made it myself. Isn’t it a beauty?’
We chit-chat a while, then I head off and studiously avoid thinking about that deadline. I develop a deep-set desire to create a crocheted replica of a much loved dog I lost two years ago. In miniature.
I take a self defense class.
And do a bit of cooking –

Onion soup with splinter croutons it is.
After a relaxing hike, I am ready to DEADLINE.
Which is extremely fortunate as I now have the grand total of one day to get 92k words ready to be scrutinised, discarded, red-carded, rearranged and tut-tutted. Or as commonly known, edited.
Breathing is oddly difficult today. Must be the Melbourne air. And I’m pretty sure that knot in my belly is last night’s bean chilli.
I’m run to my desk, knuckles cracking, coffee ready, internet De-internetted (commonly known as switched off) when I’m blocked by that bastard again.
Stranger who looks a lot like Tom Hiddleston – ‘Well goodness gracious me -”
Me – ‘Piss right off Hiddes. No one wants to see your dreamy goodness right now. I’m adulting. Get out of my face.’
Oooh! So when is the deadline? What’s the book? When are you back on the internets!?!? Inquiring minds want to know!!
Oh! Now this is getting exciting!
Tis indeed!!
Oh now this is exciting news !
With all that is happening in your life right now…let’s add a bucket load more of anxiety and stress! Only you Reggie, would throw yourself to the wolves as you pack up to leave for another adventure on another continent without a stress in the world (yeah right!!)
Actually, that’s not what I’m thinking at all. I’m thinking, “Congratulations on making that big scary leap & before you know it J K Rowlings will be calling to congratulate you on being published and a NUMBER ONE BEST SELLER!!!”
Thanks lovely! I’ll be happy with getting my first handful of happy readers to begin with 🙂
Hoorah, being a grown-up! Or better yet, turning pro. You’re serious now, lady.
I’m the complete opposite to you. Procrastinating stresses me out more than actually working.
But hey, whatever gets the books shipped.
I think I need to be more like you though! Ultimately saves a lot of last minute freaking out.
Woo hoo!! Our little girl is growing up!! I’m so very excited by this!!
What’s the time line now…when can we sees things and stuffs…
Awww gee thanks! I’m a big kid now. Diapers are off! There will be a cover reveal in October – so a little bit more waiting to go. Aiming for 8th December for launch. 🙂 Will let you know when advance copies go on sale….hey you need to buy a Kobo or a Kindle
…or grab a print copy of course, if that’s your thing! (Will be available through Amazon, or global distribution via IngramSpark)