{"id":159,"date":"2008-02-01T06:39:44","date_gmt":"2008-02-01T14:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=159"},"modified":"2008-02-01T06:39:44","modified_gmt":"2008-02-01T14:39:44","slug":"something-to-write-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=159","title":{"rendered":"Something to Write About"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are two problems that many writers have in common. Either we can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think of anything to write about or we have too many things we want to write about. Which category do you fit into? Is your head and heart overflowing with article or story ideas? Or do you often find yourself staring into a blank computer screen or looking down at a blank note pad?<\/p>\n

For those of you with lots of ideas oozing from your brain; count yourself lucky. And be sure to keep a pen and pad handy at all times so you can jot down the ideas as they appear. You might find one of those voice prompts useful\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyou know, those little key ring doodads that record you saying, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Buy milk and bread.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stop at the dry cleaners.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Use it to store your article and story ideas. <\/p>\n

For the rest of you\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthose who want to write, but can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think of a subject, topic or theme\u00e2\u20ac\u201dstay tuned.<\/p>\n

I write a blog entry every day\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhave been since December 18. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 44 NEW blog posts in 44 days. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had to come up with 44 different topics and\/or slants related to writing and publishing within the last 44 days. And I have to admit that there are some mornings when I stare at the computer screen at least for a minute or two. While I have an expansive idea file (which I recommend for any writer, by the way), there are times when I just can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t connect with any of the subjects there. I want to explore something different. Most mornings, however, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just bubbling over with ideas or eager to present one particular topic that has been nagging at me.<\/p>\n

As you may know, I have written articles on the topic of topics\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhow to come up with article ideas. Check out some of my articles at: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/articles.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n

In the meantime, here are some ideas for coming up with article\/story ideas:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWrite about what you know well<\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u201dgardening, parenting, balancing a budget, planning a class reunion, growing up as a twin, etc. For a novel or short story, use a class-reunion as a backdrop or create a story around twins.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWrite about what you want to know<\/strong>. Do the research necessary and write about how to pack for a trip that includes stops in opposite weather zones. Find out more about ice skating for fitness and write an article on this topic. For a short story, consider a winter Olympics theme focusing on tragedy on the ice rink.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tLook everywhere for ideas<\/strong>. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve discovered article ideas while waiting in line at the grocery store, on the Little League field, at the post office. Look for ideas while on the freeway, at the local animal shelter or homeless shelter. I know one woman who saw a piece of newspaper cart wheeling across the planks on the pier toward an old fisherman and that prompted a short story idea.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tListen for ideas<\/strong>. What are people talking about in the coffee shop, in the neighborhood, at the gym and at work? Pay attention to conversations\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyours and those of others. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re bound to hear something worth expanding into an article or story.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tKeep up with the news<\/strong>. The media and even some radio and TV shows provide nuggets of material that can be polished into great articles or stories. Take that germ of an idea and create a human interest story or a back-story for your novel or short piece. <\/p>\n

I could go on and on and I will if anyone is interested\u00e2\u20ac\u201dlet me know. I can tell you, though, that it was my cat, Max, who prompted this blog post. He was standing on my keyboard, waiting for me to lay his blanky in my lap (he hates the texture of my robe). I attempted to look past him at the blank screen (since he was blocking the keyboard) wondering what today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s blog would contain, when it occurred to me how many other writers in many time zones were also staring at their screens in anticipation of that spark of an idea. Whoolah, my idea for blog number 45, February 1, 2008. <\/p>\n

Whether it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 6:30 a.m. where you are or 6:30 p.m., whether you are looking out at snow, rain or a sun ball in the sky, whether you are a full-time freelance writer, author or part-time hopeful writer\/author, if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to write something, you must, first, have an idea. <\/p>\n

If you need help fleshing out your idea, establishing a freelance writing business, editing your manuscript, writing a book proposal, etc., contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are two problems that many writers have in common. Either we can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think of anything to write about or we have too many things we want to write about. Which category do you fit into? Is your head and heart overflowing with article or story ideas? Or do you often find yourself staring into […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t