On the bulletin board beside my desk is a sign that reads “The ultimate inspiration is the deadline,” a quote attributed to Nolan Bushnell, cofounder of Atari. Truer words were never spoken. Much as I hate to admit it, many times I’ve put off my own writing projects because … sigh … the muse just isn’t with me today. But something magical seems to happen when I sign a contract and commit to a deadline. I can be staring at a blank computer screen and beating my head on the keyboard at four in the morning—but the story will be written, edited, proofed, and ready to go by eight. Somehow just knowing I’m on deadline has the power to fire up my creative spirit.