After nearly six years of writing freelance articles my essential pattern has not changed and it continues to make me scratch my head.

Excitement at getting the assignment.
A sense of vast leisure about getting the thing done. No need to start today!
Dread at the encroaching deadline followed by further procrastination
Terror. When did the deadline get so CLOSE?
Utter panic and manic energy to finish the article.
Sweet blissful endorphin rush when said article is done.
A desire, nay, a craving to do it all over again.

J