Entering the Crazy Time

I’m in the final three-month stretch to my deadline, which means little sleep and an excuse to eat badly. I was one of those people who loved cramming for exams. So exciting! What makes it even crazier and more fun is having a new book, The Good Father, out at the same time. So I’m doing book signings and interviews and guest blog posts while I’m writing like mad and eating Milano cookies. (Have they taken the orange Milanos off the market? Can’t find them!)

We’re at the beach right now, where I love to write. So peaceful! In looking for an image for this post, I thought I’d share a beach related photo. This is a new one of John’s, taken of shells we found on “our” beach. I love this picture and think it’s going to be the next one to hang above our mantel.

Next week I’ll be on retreat with my writing buds and I know that, with Mary Kay Andrews there to crack the whip, I’ll get tons accomplished and many M&M peanuts ingested.

How about you? Are you ever on deadlines these days? How do you cope?

7 Comments

  1. Margo on May 9, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Diane, not to take away from your subject of deadlines, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE John’s photo!!
    Absolutely GORGEOUS!! Would look awesome hanging in my studio if he would care to part with it!!
    Sorry…back to your subject. Yes, I deal with deadlines with regard to my artwork. Not only for commissions, but when I have several projects going to give as C-mas gifts and I’m going crazy knowing the holiday is getting closer; and I have to allow for framing time. I handle things by practicing Yoga everyday. It definitely helps me with self-discipline and keeps me balanced with all the things I do in my life. I start each day with this practice and it helps me cope with everything.
    P.S. I also overindulge with peanut m&m’s and it makes things alot more fun (-:)

  2. Diane Chamberlain on May 9, 2012 at 11:38 am

    re John’s photo, Margo: I know! i think it’s spectacular. He sells them in different sizes. In the gallery where he shows his work it’s sort of a medium size but I want him to print a really big one for our living room. It’s so dramatic and I love knowing they were shells we found. Oddly enough, we haven’t seen whelks like that on our beach since that first year, when they were everywhere.

    I know you deal with deadlines with your painting and can imagine how yoga helps keep you centered and sane. And here’s a surprise for you: not only am I now in a yoga class, but so is John. It only took two classes for him to say he thought it was really helping with his back problem. We’re traveling now and I have to find a good gentle online yoga class to download so we don’t lose our practice.

  3. Margo on May 9, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Diane, I’m so glad to hear you and John are practicing Yoga!! One of the many things I love about it is how it has strengthened my back. My doctor can’t say enough about the wonderful benefits Yoga has on health issues.
    Please tell John how much I love the photo. I agree 100%…it should be enlarged to hang over a sofa…absolutely stunning!!
    It’s hard to believe you’re down to 3 months for deadline on your next novel! No wonder your stressed!
    Namaste…

  4. Shelley on May 11, 2012 at 11:17 am

    I agree with Margo above about the yoga! Also enjoyed the Publishers Weekly review of The Good Father that has the phrase “keen grasp of regret and grief.”

  5. Ellan on December 5, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    I just bought the photo at ROundabout… then I was looking for an image of it send to the recipient and found it here!

    • Diane Chamberlain on December 5, 2012 at 3:19 pm

      Cool, Ellan! I’m still waiting for the really big one for above the mantel. John’s sitting here and he is so glad you were drawn to it.

  6. Ellan on December 5, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    I love it! and I would also be interested in seeing it REALLY BIG as you suggest..

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