Do You Love it Enough To Make It Your Work?

One question I often get asked is - do you love to write?  I honestly never know what to answer. Love to write................HHHHHMMMMMM! The reason this is complicated to answer is what I respond can really vary from day to day.  In the end, I truly love interviewing. It has changed my life and my focus in ways I cannot even begin to explain.  To be allowed the privilege of interviewing means I have to write. Sometimes it's fabulous - sometimes it's hard work.

Occasionally - like this moment - I take time to step out of my normal writing to just share thoughts. These moments only occur when I feel like it and are always relaxing. The topic is whatever suits my whimsy. The subject matter can range from something serious I want to talk about, to a funny moment or just thoughts on life running through my mind at the time.  The bulk of my writing is focused on interviewing and telling the stories of others.  It has the potential to be enjoyable if done at my leisure with no set time due, but if commissioned last minute with deadlines looming - the pressure can definitely take away the "fun" factor.

Then there is the material you are working with. Some interviews are with people who are natural storytellers with the gift of gab. It is so much easier to channel someone's life when it's presented as a story to start with. Others are not as comfortable talking about their lives. I am one of those, so I understand. The interview takes a lot more effort to help them feel comfortable and coax out what they feel is important to share. The writing also takes a bit more effort as there are leaps of faith that happen. Fortunately I try to have the person review the article and am happy fine-tuning to get the picture right.

Regardless of the material, the time pressures and other factors - there are just moments when the mind quiets and you get in the zone. It's a feeling I am sure other artists - dancers, painters, musicians, singers - reach.  The outside world vanishes and the words just flow through as you type feverishly. This is the best it gets and I wish every time I write felt like this.  You instinctively know this article will be good.



Other times it is hard work. The flow doesn't happen and you have to reach deep to get the words on paper.  Both articles need to be just as strong to honour the person who made time for you.  What comes into play here is just practice.  Write as much as you can, as often as you can. If you don't have a commission, start a blog as a place to put your work. Even if only five people see an article, you feel gratified. You also learn through experience if you can get anything on paper - it can be molded into a great article in the end through polishing.

So the question I have for anyone wanting to turn a hobby or interest into a business, "Do you love it enough to make it your work?"  The pursuit leaves the realm of fun and enjoyable experienced when it is only a sideline behind. Pressures come to bear such a earning power. Sometimes the work of running your business takes up to 90% of your time and only 10% is left for the creative side.

You have to have something to love about choosing to turn whatever it is from hobby or idea into a business. That something has to carry you through the hard work, stress and pressure. For me that is the interview. Amen!

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