Paying attention when covering stories

Sometimes you're writing that one story that you couldn't care less about. It is of no personal interest to you, and you need to get it done by the quickly-approaching deadline... but you just can't get it to "move along."

But in these instances it's good to think about the people you interviewed for this story. (If you didn't at least try to obtain any interviews for the story, you did something wrong, but that's a whole other issue.)

Abigail Breslin as Kit Kitteredge (2008)

In most cases, the people who are involved enough in the story to share about it, are the people who have some sort of personal connection to the story.This is their special moment to talk about what they love, whether it's some event they're running, some charity/movement/local town celebrity they're promoting, or what you will.

If you really pay attention to what they're talking about, chances are that you'll come to understand why they love this thing they love.

Not a positive community-oriented article? Maybe a serious, possibly sad piece?

Well, again think about the people you interviewed.Their willingness to share about whatever this is, indicates their willingness to open up to you, a complete stranger. You can see what's important to them in this situation, and you can tap into that.

If you pay attention to these things, even if it still doesn't fill you with "I am thrilled to be writing this amazing story" excitement, you will write a better story. You will have acknowledged what matters to the people in the story, and you will have honored their opinions and thoughts just by paying closer attention.