Deadline Diaries: The Glamorous Life of an Author
Where Diet Coke, Procrastination, and Perimenopause Collide
When deadlines loom, caffeine is essential, and distractions are plentiful. Welcome to a day in my life as an author trying to hit my word count goals. If you’ve ever wondered what a writing day looks like when juggling books, family, and the occasional existential crisis, here’s a peek behind the scenes…
6:00 AM: The alarm on my phone sounds, but I’m having a REALLY good dream, so I slam the snooze button, desperate to get back to it. Of course, I don’t—why do you never get back to a GOOD dream but always slip right back into a nightmare? Eventually, I force myself out of bed.
First up is a few stretches on the floor to assist my poor back (see
- I said POOR not BAD), then I clip the leash on Addie and we set off for our favourite place - the river. Honestly, I’d rather dive straight into my writing, but exercise is crucial for both of us, especially since I’ll be glued to my chair for hours today.
6:13 AM: The river is buzzing with dogs and their walkers. Addie wants to greet every single one of them, while I just want to listen to a podcast. Today’s choice: the BookTok episode of Sounds Like a Cult. It’s fascinating to hear how BookTok has shaped publishing, and they pose the question —do some BookTokers actually not read the books they hype, or just use them to create buzz and grow their following? I hope it’s the former, but I fear for some, it’s not.
6:45 AM: Back home, I jump in the shower and begrudgingly wash my hair—an annoying but necessary evil since I have two events tomorrow and won’t have time in the morning before we hit the road.
7:00 AM: Post-shower, I stumble into the kitchen and grab my can of ambition (aka Diet Coke). Don’t come at me—I don’t drink coffee, and pressing deadlines require caffeine. A quick email check follows. I answer urgent ones but leave the rest for later when I’m too braindead to write.
Instead of starting my manuscript as planned, I draft an exciting Substack post for later in the week and message my author friend (whoops—this girl is VERY easily distracted). Then, I check rankings for THE BAD BRIDESMAID on Amazon and see if anyone has left any RAVE or DIRE reviews on Goodreads. Neither of these are good for my mental health and also takes up five minutes of my day I could have spent better. Ah, well… maybe one day I’ll learn.
7:45 AM: How is it almost 8 already?! Time to open my manuscript.
I’ve started using Freedom to block distracting websites while writing. This month, I even deleted Facebook and Instagram from my phone. To keep myself accountable, I set a five-hour block on my laptop.
8:03 AM: Time to get serious. I skim-read my manuscript to get in the zone.
Current word count: 88,674
Today’s goal: 91,000
I usually sprint-write with a friend, but she’s busy today, so I don’t have anyone to keep me honest!
8:15 AM: Panic mode sets in. I text my publisher, convinced I won’t finish this book by the (already extended) end of March deadline. Will we still have time for edits and promo? Should we push the release back?!
8:28 AM: My wonderful publisher calls to talk me off the ledge.
8:40 AM: I’m starving. I eat some Weet-Bix (doctor’s orders) and boil some eggs for later because, apparently, women my age need protein. Then, a hair-drying detour is in order as I hate when my hair air-dries into an unmanageable frizz fest.
9:05 AM: Finally back at my desk, determined to write!
9:50 AM: I finish a chapter but only add 300 words over all. I’m already tired, but it’s too early for a nap, so I grab my second (NB. I only allow myself two a day so I should hold out a little longer) Diet Coke and hope it helps.
10:02 AM: The postie arrives with two book packages—Red Dust Running as I’ll be interviewing
about it in Perth soon and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler (because Liane Moriarty raves about her work, and I’ve only read one of her books so far).
I take a quick break to refill my water bottle and grab some nuts for sustenance. Writing is HUNGRY work.
10:40 AM: Why is my word count going backwards?! Deep breaths.
11:23 AM: Eat a boiled egg. Protein can’t only be good for perimenopause but also good for the mind.
11:25 AM: Back to the manuscript. No idea what’s supposed to happen in this chapter.
12:13 PM: I finish the chapter, but it’s short, and so far today, I’ve deleted more than I’ve added. I need to embrace the “just get words down” mentality, but I struggle to move on unless I’m happy with what I’ve written.
1:18 PM: My goal was 91,000 words before lunch, but I’m stuck at 89,779 and starving. I email the manuscript to myself - something I do every time I stop even though I automatically save it to Dropbox. I’ve learned from experience, it pays to have multiple back ups - then head to the kitchen for a tuna and egg salad.
Usually, post-lunch means two squares of Aldi’s dark chocolate (I won’t have any arguments about it being the best), but today I find an EMPTY packet. Why-oh-why do kids do this!?! Disappointment levels: catastrophic. In protest, I have half a third can of Diet Coke instead. No judgement, please.
1:40 PM: Back at my desk, annoyed that I’m nowhere near today’s goal, because I REALLY love having an arvo nap, but that’s not looking likely today. (Don’t worry someone got a nap today…)
2:02 PM: I cave and check Facebook and Instagram. Feel UTTER shame. But I see my friend Lauren McKellar’s new book (which I cover-quoted!) is out, so I congratulate her.
Also, this ad was the first thing I saw on Facebook. Feels like I’m being targeted!!
2:07 PM: Back to work.
3:22 PM: I hit 90,000 words! It’s a miracle! Highlighting my new words, I realise I’ve actually written 2,612 words today (looked less because of the old stuff I deleted)! Might not have reached my overall target, but still a solid day. Updating my word count chart makes me very happy.
Just as I emerge from my office, my youngest gets home from school. Time for some housework (ugh) and a well-earned slice of the chocolate cake (sans icing) my husband made today.
3:46 PM: I prep dinner—fried rice, because someone (ahem, husband) cooked too much rice last night.
4:26 PM: With dinner made and washing folded, I decide to do some emails before Pilates.
5:30 PM: Reformer Pilates—it’s brutal today.
6:27 PM: I arrive home to a soggy dog and husband who’ve been living their best lives in the pool. Water is ALL over the house, but Addie is VERY happy. I warm up dinner, and we sit down to eat.
7:00 PM: After dinner, I wash up while hubby ices the cake, water the garden, and pour a glass of wine before diving into The Blind Assassin—a buddy read-along with Bijoux, From Author Natasha Lester and
. Feel free to join us!
8:13 PM: I remember some unanswered Facebook messages, so I respond before getting into bed with my book, promising myself I won’t read past 10 PM as I have a busy day tomorrow (lol, we all know how that ends).
And that’s a wrap on a fairly typical deadline day in the life of Rachael Johns. Tomorrow’s a busy day with lots of travel and two library talks, so no writing—but I’ll be back at my desk the day after, ready to dive back in.
You write fabulous posts! And! Wow! A walk and Pilates - so good for the mind and body! You’re certainly reaching colourful goals and living an authentic writer’s life! Love your work!! xx
I love reading your posts Rach - and having insight to what your day looks like as a writer (and as a human). No judgement on the Diet coke factor - do what works for you :) The deadlines and everything else with writing a book is a LOT! But you do it every single time!