Do You Want Writing Success? Peg Your Passionometer

From: http://republica-de-angola.blogspot.com/2009/11/webecoist_15.html

In the relatively short time that I’ve been writing to make my living I have found that one of the nuggets of wisdom thrown around is actually very true:  Writing with passion makes a difference.  I think we’ve all been there at one point or another.  You have a post that you have to write and then you have another that you want to write.  I’ll just bet that when you go back and examine the numbers for each, you’ll find that the big winner is the one you wanted to write.

I love the feeling of a passion post.  The words just flow and completing the article takes little time.  It’s almost perfect in the first draft.  I can’t hardly wait to press the publish button.  I sit in anticipation of the comments that will come.  I know the comments will be there because I know that passion was the platform on which the article was built.

Passion bleeds.  It nourishes our writing and permeates it with a rich crimson that shouts to be read.

This is why all of the sage writers pound this point home again and again.  You should be writing about things that excite you.  With that said, as a freelance writer we often have to write about things that we wouldn’t pee on if it caught fire.  Sad, but true.  So the question really is:  How, as a freelance writer do we invoke the passion that we would otherwise feel for a topic we give a rip about?

Master the answer to this question and I can almost guarantee your success as a freelance writer.

Here are the ways to capture the passion:

• Realize that your passion does not have to be permanent.  Let your cup runneth over for the time the project is on your plate, remembering that the project will be completed at some point.
• Become the expert.  If the project is about the mating rituals of South African songbirds, find out as much as you can about those horny little devils.  As you search, let the passion of those with a songbird calling rub off on you.  Remember it’s important to:
• Drop all of your barriers.  No matter if the only interest you have in songbirds is seeing them as squab kebobs.  Your job is to get past that and not let your interests get in the way.  This isn’t about you, it’s about the project.  You are nothing more than a portal through which information flows and is transformed.  How you transform it is where the concept of passion comes into play.
• Don’t delay.  The longer you push the project towards deadline, the greater resentment you will have towards the project.  Trying to become passionate about something you resent will increase the difficulty of your work ten-fold.
• Realize the benefits you will gain from writing a passionate post.  Your client will be thrilled.  Word will get out about your fantastic writing abilities.  More and more work will head your way.

Passion is crucial to successful writing.  Take the time to do it right and watch your thoughts flourish.

What is your take?   How do you drum up passion for things that you don’t really care about?

Posted by: George