Made Deadline by That Much

Friday I challenged myself to submit a story for a Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology before its September 1st deadline. Despite a parade, a picnic, and an optometrist's appointment, I did it with 15 minutes to spare. Yes! Nothing beats the added incentive a built-in deadline gives a writer. Sure, beating the clock is always good for the soul. But more than that, a fixed deadline gives you permission to write with a defined goal in mind. And the feeling when you've reached that goal? Magic.