The Christian Century

Louie Armstrong is supposed to have said, “Never mind creativity, man, just give me a deadline.” It’s a beautiful credo, one with which any self-supporting writer or artist can readily identify. As Armstrong doubtless knew, there are times when a deadline doesn’t diminish the inspiration; it is the inspiration.

The word itself is inspiring: “dead” to suggest finality (and what you will be if you don’t finish the job); “line” to suggest the clear and fine distinction between making it and not making it. There is, after all, such a thing as a moment of truth.