Why do they call them deadlines? Is it because they are a metaphorical line between life death? Or maybe in the past it wasn't metaphorical.

Deadlines are simultaneously the best and the worst thing you can have on creative projects. They are the best thing because they help keep you in check, and they help you get over the line. They are the worst thing because when they are hanging over you, the pressure can be insurmountable, and sometimes you just have to go with what you've got.

Overall, I would say that having deadlines really should be a pre-requisite in any creative endeavour, otherwise it's just too easy to be lenient on yourself. When you do have a deadline for something like writing, it's always best to put together some form of draft well in advance. Even just jotting down ideas can make a huge difference when it comes to the crunch. Deadlines are there to help you do your best creative work, and they're also there to make sure you ship your work, which can often be half the battle.