Strategies For Finding Topics To Write About
What possibly could I have to write about? I never was good at
it anyway. It doesn't matter how hard I try, I just sit and
stare and stare at a blank screen.
Sound familiar? Don't worry. We all have gone through this. It
happens to me periodically. If you experience this at any point,
it is a good signal that you need a change in creative
direction. Here are a few tips to help you find topics to write
about and get your creative juices flowing.
I personally like to write with pen and paper. For one, I can
take it anywhere. Well, o.k. with a laptop you can take it
almost where ever you wish as well. But, when the battery is
gone and there is not a single electrical outlet in sight, I
will still be sitting there writing until I get my fill.
You periodically need to change your scenery. This always helps
me. If I am at a block, I get up, take pen and paper and head
out of the house. I frequent outdoor cafes when I can. The
openness and fresh air helps me think. You can also just try a
different part of your house.
I try to at least keep a notebook, or sticky notes somewhere
within reach at every point in the day. Why? Ideas usually come
to me when I am not at my desk. One of the best ways I have
developed to find new topics is to spend what I call "routine
task time" thinking about recent articles I have read. Routine
task time is the time you spend washing dishes, cleaning,
driving home(of course pay attention to the road here as well!),
etc. Make use of this time if you can.
Write down any idea that comes to mind. Don't worry about
whether is seems reasonable at the moment. You will edit and
refine later if need be. More than likely you will throw away
half of the ideas you come up with. You'll find however that
these ideas bring out other topics that you may never have
thought about.
Go to the web. I can't stress this enough. Need new topics? See
what other people are writing about. Try www.CNet.com, or any
other internet / technology or business website to find the new
hot topics. Are you writing about hobbies? Check out the top
hobby sites. Don't hesitate to use the internet and what others
are doing to keep your writing up to par.
Writing articles for your own E-Zine or to be published
elsewhere for advertising is the most powerful resource for
promoting your online business. Practice it, develop it, prune
it. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. This is the most prized
resource that you can pull from to succeed online.