Really great article. I can totally relate. I was thinking about this recently and what has helped me is recognizing that the act of writing is only one small part of being a writer. For example, I got an amazing story written, I'm really proud of it, but I can't share it with you because it's still sandwiched between 15 pages of double-lined paper.

Typing, transcription, editing, the packaging and marketing effects of choosing headlines and photos, all of those things need to happen to help make it possible for the story to get read, and shared. "But, its done!" I say, even though I know getting it written doesn't mean getting it published.

I wanted to share this, inspired by your own writing, because I've struggled to wear the many hats needed to go from idea to article, and I've struggled to separate the many steps needed.

Now that I've managed to compartmentalize sections of those tasks I can recognize that my passion for writing need not motivate my editing or marketing work. By separating the tasks into individual emotional spheres it became easier to untangle my work ethic from my emotions.

The irony here is that I'm actually supposed to be sitting now editing a short story that's 90% done and 120% too long. It's the sort of work that just feels unfun. You mean I have to take all these beautiful words and delete 300 of 'em?!

So, yah. Whatever. Now that i'm on record saying I got work ethic I better get back to it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and words and for inspiring me to a higher level of effort.