Congratulations!
You just found a great, new idea for your next writing project.
Too bad this will be the last idea you will ever have.
Sometimes, as writers, we procrastinate and put off writing a book, starting a blog, or working on another type of writing project, because we’re afraid that we will run out of ideas.
Photo by Clever Visuals on Unsplash
How do you keep finding new ideas and topics to write about?
1. Find the connection.
Think of how your usual writing topic could be connected to anything you watch or read.
You can try this while watching TV news reports or while reading a magazine article. You can also consider how your topic might fit in with a scene from a TV show or movie.
There’s always the chance two topics that seem completely different from each other might have a common connection.
When you’re open to this possibility, you start to look for such connections.
It then becomes easier for you to find new ideas. And possible ideas for new blog posts and articles seem to pop up during random times or in random places.
That’s why it’s important to keep a notes app on your smartphone, or a pen and a small notepad readily available.
2. Write about today.
What stage of life are you in now?
Are you single, married or divorced? Do you have kids? If so, how old are they?
You could write about the perks, possibilities and problems that come with being where you are in life. You can also write about your hobbies and interests (volunteering, cooking, traveling, art, faith, pop culture, etc.).
3. What’s bothering you?
Sometimes we read articles or watch news reports and learn about certain problems and issues in our communities and in the larger society.
You might think, “Why haven’t I heard anything about this before now?”
Many of us are also coping with problems affecting us, our families and our friends.
You can write about any lessons learned while coping with pain and loss. Or you can share ways to get involved in facing certain problems and finding answers to help others lead better lives.
4. Keep a list.
You will eventually have a list of ideas for writing projects, if you follow the tips above.
Be sure to keep a running list of ideas on your laptop and/or on your smartphone (for example, using a notes app).
Also, make the time to look for more ideas if you notice your ideas list dwindling down to just a couple of ideas.
Final Thoughts
You now have one less excuse to put off writing.
Use these tips during the year. That way, you will be more likely to end this year reviewing all the great writing projects you worked on.
Then you can plan on how to build upon these projects for the following year.
Keep writing and good luck!
How do you find new ideas and topics to write about? Please share with us in the comments below any lessons learned, questions or any other comments you have about writing.