For established writers and new writers alike, sometimes coming up with an article or story idea is half the work. If you’re in need of ideas to write about and your brain is not cooperating, there are some creative habits to assist in your brainstorming.
Write what you know
If you have just been through the death of a loved one and can offer advice on the process, write an article. If you have a special talent or skill, share it through your writing. If you have a knack or a special trick for teaching your kids how to read, teach others by writing an article about it.
Take Conversation Notes
Take notes of the conversations you have throughout your day or conversations you overhear others having. Write down any ideas that may come to mind from these interactions. Additionally, if the personality of a particular person you interact with in your daily life stands out, capture that person by basing a character on him or her.
Carry a Camera
Snap interesting photos throughout your day and one of them is likely to make an interesting story later on. Take pictures of anything that you find interesting; for example, a street or business sign, of an event, or of something extraordinary in nature. Be sure to gather names and phone numbers from the people you photograph, so you may obtain appropriate permission to use their pictures.
Writing Prompts
Log on to one of the many writing websites – Helium, AssociatedContent, or eHow, to name a few - and read the “call for content” list. These are updated frequently and can be a valuable source for gathering ideas.
Research your Interests
If you have an interest in a particular subject, research the subject and then write an article about it. Not only will this enable you to read about one of your favorite subjects, but make some money at it as well.
Watch the News
When you see a news story that interests you, research the subject further and write about it. If you disagree with a particular story, write an article about your conflicting perspective.
Review Businesses
A good way to both come up with a story and to create publicity for yourself is to write about a business you patronize. Let the business owner know you will be mentioning their business in your article. Often times the business owner will mail out a link to your article in their newsletter. This is a valuable tool in winning over regular readers.
Holiday Ideas
Fresh ideas about holiday traditions, new decorating tips, or recipes give the opportunity to increase readership. Start brainstorming at least one or two months ahead.
Following these eight tips may help with generating story ideas when your mind is blank. Most importantly, always carry a notebook to write your ideas down for easy reference later on.
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