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Every writer has experienced writer’s block, but what about idea block? What do you do when your idea engine slows and your supply of story ideas starts running on empty?
One of my readers commented yesterday on the tips I provided about how to push beyond writer’s block. But in the process, she also asked a very valid question about another problem that sometimes plagues writers: idea block—the frustrating problem of wanting to write, but just not knowing what to write about.
After reading Sharon’s question, I began to think about how I go about generating story ideas for articles. Here are a few tips that work for me:
- Mine stories you’ve already written. Reslanting stories is a great way to get the most out of the time and work that you’re already doing as a freelancer. You take the same general idea from one article that you’ve already written and simply rework it for another publication. For example, I did an HR story a couple months ago about award-winning flexible workplaces. But in the process of reporting on that story, I also had the opportunity to interview a couple of individual business owners who I plan on profiling for another business publication. And I also turned that initial story into a business trend article.
- Tune into your thoughts. What are you thinking about most these days? Turn your own ruminations into fodder for legitimate story ideas. Chances are, if you’re spending a lot of time thinking about a particular issue, someone else is too—and they just might be interested in reading what you have to say about it. For example, I recently had to go through a round of medical tests. Thankfully, everything turned out okay. But after going through the whole ordeal, I used the experience to develop a saleable story idea about what to do when you’re waiting for medical test results.
- Eavesdrop. That’s right—listen in on other people’s conversations. What are people talking about? What seems to be the topic du jour these days? What are people most concerned about? If you can develop a story idea around what people are talking about most, you just might peak the interest of an editor who will want you to write about it.
- Turn your fears into story ideas. Are you sitting up nights worrying about how to rebalance your stock portfolio? Are you wondering whether you should pull all your money out of the stock market? Do you wonder what would happen to your money if your bank failed? Use your fears and worries to develop some compelling story ideas. Chances are, people are concerned about some of the same issues and will want to read about ways to tackle the same problems.
- Read the headlines. Scanning articles in various publications throughout the day not only keeps me up to date on current events, but it also helps me generate story ideas. If you tend to write for a particular audience, read news articles with an eye for tailoring those stories to your targeted readers. For example, since I specialize in HR/business issues, most stories I read go through this filter. So when I read a story about the trickledown effect that the automotive industry has on the rest of the economy, my first question is always: How will this impact HR departments and business owners?
- Play the opposites game. This concept is all about taking a standard, run-of-the-mill story and putting an unexpected twist on it. For example, you could take a personal finance story about how to fix your credit rating and play the opposites game with it. The result? How To Screw Up Your Credit in 10 Simple Steps.
- Help a friend. What are your friends talking to you about? Do they need help tackling a certain issue in their lives? Instead of spending all your energy talking to them about it, why not do a little research and write about it? Think about how you would like to help people, and then turn your good intentions into a story.
So how do you rev up your idea engine? Drop me a line—I’d love to hear all about it!
Best,
Jenny
Kari, I like the idea of collecting images and articles as story ideas. I do the same thing when I read an interesting article, but I confess I’ve never thought to do that with images.
Thanks for dropping by!
Julie, I love your ideas! I’ll have to check out those cards—this is the first time I’ve heard of those. And your first idea is really good too. Thank you for sharing these!
Michelle, thanks for the feedback! Your opinion means a lot. I like your idea about asking that additional question during interviews. I sometimes do that as well, but don’t always remember—especially when I’m on deadline!
Thanks too for leaving the URL to that post. I’ll take a look. :-)
-Jenny
My thoughts:
Clustering: writing down a word and then brainstorming around that word.
Collect: I collect interesting (to me, anyway) images and articles (printing out the articles and saving the images). Gives me something to go toward when I can’t think of anything.
Jennie:
I quite often tack on one or two random questions at the end of an interview to find out what else my source has going on, is thinking about, has heard at a conference or meeting. Many times those questions can lead to stories that I can pitch to one of my regular clients. I wrote about this in a recent post for my own freelance writing blog:
http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/10-great-places-writers-can-find-story-ideas/
BTW, you’re doing a great job on TGP.
Michelle Rafter
WordCount
Great article. Thanks.
Here are some of my idea generators and brainstorming tools:
* For 24 hours write down everything you do, think, feel, get angry at, are scared of, or worry about. These can be very short and quick notes. “Hit snooze button too many times. Was running late. Threw quick breakfast together for the family. Took Melinda to school. Saw a boy walk past M that looked like a gang member, made my heart pound in my chest. The files on my desk just keep growing at an alarming rate, like mold.” Etc. Then the next day, take your list and start brainstorming article ideas: Quick breakfast ideas for the busy mom. How to talk to your kids about gangs. How to organize the mountain of paperwork that’s taking over your desk.
* Use an inspirational card deck, like Roger von Oech’s Creative Whack Pack, which has cards that ask you to exaggerate, challenge the rules, and look to the past, and start brainstorming. Or Daniel Leven’s Zen cards, which have words like courage, wisdom, and balance on them.
* Google your topic and see what ideas and articles come up. Go to the images page and start brainstorming.
Julie Isaac
http://www.WritingSpirit.com
Hi Sharon! Thanks for coming back and for the nice feedback. The reason I’m working on this site is to help other people, so it makes me happy that what I’m doing is actually helping other freelancers.
No need to feel ashamed about your blogging questions at all! I’ll be more than happy to address your questions about the business of blogging in a couple of post next week.
You’re asking some great questions, Sharon, so please keep them coming! I am sure other people have the same questions as well, so I’ll be sure to tackle this topic for you and others who are curious about blogging as well.
Best,
Jenny
Dear Jenny:
I just found your site and I really love it. It gives practical advice and lots of great feedback. Thank you for mentioning me and my response to your blog on The Muse. Given the warm and friendly atmosphere of this site, I am going to admit something that I really feel ashamed about, as a freelance writer, a published author and a member of ASJA as well as a citizen of the 21st century. I keep hearing the verb “blogging” and I must admit….I have never blogged. Or am I doing it now without realizing it. And how in the heck does one get paid for blogging. Can you help me get up to speed.
thanks again,
Sharon Hazard
Thank you everyone for stopping by and for your feedback! Please keep coming back, and let me know of other topics you might find useful as well.
Amanda, I love your Google Adwords Keyword tool idea—now that’s a tip I’m going to use! Excellent idea!
Thanks for some great tips! Writer’s block happens to the best of us. :)
I like the idea on “what are people talking about / interested in” – sounds like a good tip to me… Cheers
I like to use the Google Adwords Keyword tool (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal) for story ideas. Whatever subject I’m thinking of writing about I’ll just type in and it’ll come up with things people are searching for. Two birds with one stone right there, SEO keyword ideas and brainstorming all in one place :)
this could really be one of the most important, best, most usable articles online. I say this because I’m constantly having writers block. I will use this post often. //g
Thanks Darren! Wow—I’ve been following your blog for several years now, and it’s wonderful to have your feedback!
I hope you keep coming back to visit. :-)
Jenny
some great ideas in there Jenny – really solid stuff!
Thanks Katherine! I hope they’re helpful to you.
Let me know of any other topics you might find helpful, and I’ll do my best to address those here on the blog.
Thanks for dropping by!
Jenny
I love these tips! I have a few people in mind who would also love it so I can’t wait to share it. Even though I am very good at coming up with ideas, I still sometimes feel all dried up.