How do you keep yourself motivated when writin on a topic you don't like?

[Irishmom]

I'm struggling with a piece I'm working on. The one on paternity leave I mentioned in other threads.

It's dragging on because we had trouble finding willing sources. I now have one source, and editor and myself are still working to find more.

Anyway - I'll interview this guy - though I'm not looking forward to talking to him since a third party has painted him in a very unflattering light.

My research on stats and practices for paternity leave here in the US and in the UK has yielded some interesting info - but normally by now I'd be formulating an outline of the story in my mind - and have a good idea of the tye of info I'd want my source to give me. I have my interview questions roughly ready - but I just feel so blahh about it all.

I wasn't keen on this piece from the outset, so I know that's part of the problem.

I guess I'm just wondering how you guys plow through and get 'into' it enough to produce a good article?

[WildScribe]

Well, too late for this advice now, but I usually try to decide whether I will be able to stand sticking with the project before I pitch it.

Once I have it, if I decide I hate it, I give myself another project - a really fun query, an essay, a story, whatever - and allow myself to work on it only after I finish the icky stuff. It's a great motivator.

[Irishmom]

Like eating your veggies before the rest of the meal you like? heh!

I was assigned this story - I wouldn't have pitched it lol!

Just having regrets about accepting it I guess.

I do have other fun stuff I can get to after I make some progress with this...

[WildScribe]

You can also give yourself treats, like a starbucks drink or a candy or something, but I figure fun assignments means twice the productivity. :)

And I know how it goes with crappy assignments. I have one editor who loves me and is a great editor, so I work with her even though the assignments are boring and the pay is mediocre.

[Skyraven]

Switch things up for yourself if you get bogged down in negativity. Look at projects you've completed that you are proud of for an ego-boost and then get back to work! Or chat with pals (ahem here) or elsewhere for some encouragement. :) Hope this helps.

[WildScribe]

Ah, a good idea I'd forgotten. A writer buddy can help give you a poke when you're stuck. :)

[CatMuse33]

I just keep the bottom line--the pay--in mind.

If a project gets really intolerable, to the point where it's dragging on past the point of productivity, I see if there are areas I can subcontract (research? transcription? the whole thing?) One person's icky project is another's dream job. I like eating veggies. LOL Okay, not as much as chocolate, but more than, say, salmon. ;)

Dawn

[CatMuse33]

WildScribe,
Just wanted to say I used your tip to "reward" myself with an enjoyable project after finishing a dull one yesterday, and it worked. :) I was twice as productive, too! Now I have another dull project and I'm planning the same thing. (Actually, it's another segment of the first dull project, but I have to break it up to keep from going insane.)

THANK YOU!! :D

Dawn

[WildScribe]

WildScribe,
Just wanted to say I used your tip to "reward" myself with an enjoyable project after finishing a dull one yesterday, and it worked. :) I was twice as productive, too! Now I have another dull project and I'm planning the same thing. (Actually, it's another segment of the first dull project, but I have to break it up to keep from going insane.)

THANK YOU!! :D

Dawn

Hey, I should start charging. :D