Starting to Write - Finding an Idea
Every Writer Needs a Subject - but Where do Ideas Come From?
There is nothing writers wish for more than a place where they could find ideas: a place that would provide them with the stimulus they need to get their next writing project underway. In fact, worrying about finding a new idea, might be the very thing that creates a block about finding one.
With a few basic items...
- A large show box, or a box file
- A note pad
- A pen
...and some simple exercises to get the creative juices flowing, writers can soon have their own special well of ideas.
Write about what you know
The most popular advice given to writers is to write about what they know; but few people really consider the vast array of things they actually do know about, or have experience of.
By answering the following questions, taking a new sheet of paper for every answer and putting it in the box, locations and environments will soon be collected.
- What jobs have you done?
- What jobs do you know intimately because family members have done them?
- What towns have you lived in?
- What places have you visited or spent time?
- What interests or hobbies do you have?
- What sports you play or watch?
- Do you have special knowledge or expertise in a particular subject?
- Anything else, now you’re getting the hang of this?
Great Writing Comes from the Heart
Think about the things that you care about or which move you in some way. These things might be big scale or small scale. Big things are those that happen in the world at large, that you hear about in the news. Small things are those that you encounter when you’re simply interacting with family, friends or neighbours.
- What makes you angry?
- What makes you weep?
- What makes you frustrated?
- What made you laugh most recently?
- What restores your faith in people?
- What do you feel strongly about, or believe in.
- What in the world would you like to change, if you could.
Opening New Doors and Meeting New People Bring New Opportunities for Ideas
It isn't necessary to go very far in order to enter a whole new world. The internet is the greatest research tool. It can take you anywhere very cheaply. Any subject can be researched. Experts who are willing to help with advice can be found online. So take some time to think about the things you know nothing about, but which have always held a fascination.
- Are there any dreams you never fulfilled?
- Did you always want to study something?
- Did you always want to be something? (Even if you couldn’t be a concert pianist, you can write about being one.)
- Did you always want to go somewhere?
- Did you always want do something?
Where Do You Get Ideas? From your Ideas Box!
The box will soon fill with pieces of paper with the answers to these questions. Each piece of paper may stir memories and story possibilities; but pulling out a few at random and placing them together, is almost guaranteed to make unusual connections and inspire fresh ideas. No story is complete without the characters who draw readers in and engage them. In time, ideas for great characters can also be added to the box.
Typing on Keyboard
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Pen and notepad
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