Maddy 3. The Looming Deadline

So for the last 8 weeks or so our heads have been wrapped around this topic of data which has come from the Willow Pattern book. The data I speak of has come from if:book Australia and shows a quantified result of the authors’ hard work. Kirsty Norris has been able to do separate graphs for us to see, which showcases each of the authors workflow over the 24 hour period, the time actually spent writing and editing and the number of revisions both writing and editing that each author experienced. The fact that the data has been put in graphs does make it that little bit easier to understand this process of working within a 24 hour time frame and is more visual now as to what the authors went through, what occurred in the 24 hours, and so on. We have looked at data which shows the 30 most used words within the book as well.

It is really nice to know that the data is now in graphs or documents because it is something we have found very hard to wrap our heads around when it comes to discussing our end of semester project. We basically have 3 weeks now to decide how we will represent the data in a physical form that will also prove entertaining and worthwhile for our audience. It is something that is causing us great thought and, I’ll admit, a lot of confusion. There was a lot of work to be done over that 24 hour time frame for both the authors and editors to get this book written, edited and published. It probably caused a huge lack of sleep for all involved and continuous pressure to meet the deadline.

I’ve wondered what working straight for 24 hours will do to your body. I certainly have never set myself a challenge to finish work within a 24 hour time period; although I know of many students who have. I myself cannot physically do it; no amount of coffee, chocolate, or lollies will keep me awake for that large time period, especially when it involves continuous brainwork abilities. I almost admire students who have been able to do that, as I think after 8 hours of continuous work I would have a mental breakdown. I know working throughout a 24 period is not something the authors would do every day, perhaps maybe only on a weekly or monthly basis however I am interested to know what was going on in their bodies during the period of writing their chapters for Willow Pattern, and if they had any problems with tiredness, stress, or concentration etc. It was interesting to find out that one of the authors, Christopher Currie, has set himself a project similar to this before. His individual project a couple of years ago required him to write a new short story everyday for a year from March 08 to March 09. This was published on his blog ‘Furious Horses’. He explained that there were limitations just like Willow Pattern he had to deal with and he was also set challenges. So it seems deadlines like these are definitely no new story to authors?

Korkki, P (2013) says Mr. Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioural economics at Duke University states that ‘Workers who fail to meet deadlines risk the disapproval — and sometimes the wrath — of their managers and colleagues’. It is thought that people respond well to deadlines because meeting them provides a distinct feeling of having achieved something within a time frame. Mr. Ariely said it is possible to motivate yourself, by announcing a deadline to others — perhaps on Facebook or on Twitter. Not meeting the deadline would then feel like breaking a promise.

Willow Pattern provided just that, with if:book Australia posting the authors’ work online and presenting it as data throughout the period. People, followers, fans, whoever they may be, commented on some authors posts with ideas and words of advice and encouragement. Therefore, Willow Pattern became a publicised project and was open for the public to see. The authors had people to answer to and to work for so the looming deadline was something to take very seriously. Perhaps though, authors like the rush and are not fazed by the deadlines. As Professor Ariely said, it is a feeling of achievement to get something done by a proposed deadline, and announcing projects to the outer public gives even more reason to finish a deadline.

Can anyone share with me their individual experience in dealing with deadlines? And how did your body cope?

On another note, check out Kirty’s blog this week explaining her experience making a cake in 24 minutes. We are brainstorming for our final project for the semester and how to represent the data. The experiment of making a cake within 24 minutes was an attempt to creatively use the prospect of having to finish something within a looming deadline, something that would seem almost impossible!