As in a string around one's finger -

this was an old memory trick, meant literally to tie an idea to oneself - people use a variety of tactics to keep appointments and tasks in their mind. The NQ office, for example, is rather full of post-its with vital to-dos inscribed upon them. First item today: remind our writers that we are one week, yes, one week, from our next copy deadline.

(Image: wordpress.com.)

NQ half empty/full?

With two weeks to copy deadline, and maybe 40% of our content already filed, this is the moment in our production cycle when we, and by "we" I mean "I", start trying to gauge the level of content. Do we have enough? How much is enough? Do we have too much? Forgetting about an entire section of the magazine is one thing (it has happened), but ideally the issue is a beautiful balance of words and images, ideas and space.

(Image, from smart-kit.com; how many blue faces are needed to balance scale #3?)

A little Shakespeare for your park?

We're past the official midsummer's night (which is around the solstice), which shouldn't stop anyone from sitting in a sunny park and reading the play, should they wish - in fact what a lovely complement to a summer working day. We all have our to-do lists; we're working through our submissions here; but there's nothing wrong with a like-to-do list, considering the rare and lovely weather.

(Image: The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania, blogspot.)

Blue skies, and nothing but...

It can be hard to concentrate when it's all sun and breeze and let's-sit-in-the-shade-and-have-a-cool-one outside. But, rest assured, here at the NQ we have not lost our focus, and are working hard towards...was that a butterfly? is someone drinking sangria? what?...well, maybe we are having a few seasonal distractions. But honestly we're getting tons of stuff done, as you'll see in September.

(Image: blogto.com.)

1 month 1 day to copy deadline

Our fall issue is already coming together - here's a teaser on the theme...

(Image: flickr.com.)