Motivation Interview: Dionne Obeso

During the rest of the summer, I’ll be posting interviews with writers from across the country and around the world. Hopefully, we can all inspire one another! You can see all of interviews already posted here, and if you want to participate, email me with “writer’s interview” as the subject line. I’ll keep posting as long as you guys keep sending them in.

Today’s interview is with Dionne Obeso. Dionne writes freelance articles for a wide range of consumer and trade magazines, most recently including Rinksider magazine and Conceive magazine.

Why do you think freelancers get writer’s block?

Honestly, I think the only reason I have ever gotten writer’s block has been when I was burned out, and it was not so much a block as it was a desire to get away from my work and away from words on a page.

How has writer’s block affected you?

There was a point where I was writing a hundred short articles every single week, including a lot of ads that had similar content, and a lot of legal articles. I was so burned out that I couldn’t even sit in front of a computer for a month and a half without feeling panicky, and the thought of taking on more work made me want to cry. It was a good lesson in not overdoing it!

What’s the biggest challenge when it comes to staying motivated to write?

I have a toddler running around, so it is very hard to work when I am not sure that he is safe and entertained or asleep. This means that I have to cram MANY things that I love into his naptimes, and only after I finish my work! I also find it very hard to use the same computer that I have fun on at other times, and not do those fun things but focus on work instead.

Share with us your top tip for overcoming writer’s block and finding inspiration to keep working:

It mostly comes down to “butt in chair, eyes forward” for me, although sometimes energetic music and a topic that I love can be very helpful as well.

Thanks, Dionne!