This ever happen to you?

[TrooperBari]

According to the photo editor where I work (the same one who feels that just because he's out in the rain, I should be, too) a true pro never has a bad day.

Buffalo biscuits.[/ShermanTPotter] Unless your paper hires androids, I'd bet he's had at least a few days where he just wasn't feeling it.

---------

Speaking as someone who's pulled the same feat before, SSM, I don't suggest making a habit of working two weeks straight. Good way to run yourself down and get sick.

 

[huntsie]

Bad day. We all have them. Sound like you're a bit burned out. Go home and shut down for a couple of days, catch up on your sleep. It will be better in the morning.

 

[GuessWho]

Echoing the thoughts of many on here, it happens. A crap lede/story? Well, not everything can be nominated for a Pulitzer. Just forge onward through the fog.

A pet theory: There's stuff I wrote I thought was gold and stuff I wrote I thought was crap. But in reading both extremes months or years later, there's really not all that much difference in any of it. I think your perception of it depends a lot on the mood you're in when you read it.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Early in my career I drove myself crazy trying to make sure everything was perfect and a copy editor picked up on it and pulled me aside and said, "They're not all going to be great. Sometimes you've just got to feed the beast."

We're all off our game at times, the secret is just to make sure everybody can't tell when you're off... If I have an AP type lede on my gamer, it's usually a pretty good sign that I'm having an off night.

We all have them. Those of us who cover a beat feel that way all the time toward the end of the season because we're exhausted. During the beginning of the season, I write down a ton of story ideas because toward the end of the season, you can be tapped out...

 

[SoCalScribe]

When the game doesn't inspire you, maybe try to think about something else. Maybe slant the gamer more so it's focused on one particular kid, or the direction of one team's season...if the game sucks, or it sucked to your eyes at least, then try to write at least partially about something else. That could help get the gears moving. And if not, hey, everyone has an off day.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Maybe you should see an occupational hypnotherapist.

But I'm sure working 13 days straight may play a part. Or maybe it's just December basketball. Those games don't mean much anyway, so it can be easy to not get into them sometimes.

 

[joe king]

Outing alert: SoSueMe is T.O.

 

[sartrean]

Come on, man, how can you say that? You've got the greatest job in the world - you get paid to watch games!

I mean, I understand when accountants space out, their jobs are boring! But you get paid to watch games! Really, you shouldn't be complaining about working 13 straight days. I understand when, say, lawyers complain about working five straight, but your work isn't really work!

Buck up, or you could find yourself in a job where you don't follow high school kids around...

Now I know what you do for a living -- publisher.