This idea is based in the past with the idea that writers have muses that are the source of their inspiration. It was believed that writers would sit around, waiting for their muse to be on-line and bring them their latest inspiration. Others would have a particular person whose presence inspired them.
The notion might be a romantic one, but all I can say is that waiting to be “inspired by my muse” is vesting my ability to write in some other being and that is a concept with which I’m very uncomfortable.
Which then begs the question, where can you get your ideas from? Here are just a few ideas:
- Free writing – just write whatever comes to mind
- Make a List of key points related to an issue
- Brainstorming – use mind mapping as a tool to structure your output
- Raid your Swipe File
- Create a questionnaire, survey people and write about your findings
- Imagine you were explaining a concept to a friend – record your ‘conversation’ and then write what you ‘dictated’
- Surf the internet, find some news in your niche area and write about it in your own words. Don’t just regurgitate the news, add some commentary and your opinion
- Find an article someone has already written that has sparked a lot of comments which include a variety of opinions. Write a piece looking at the original topic from different angles
- Alternatively, find an article where someone of the “Ten Top Tips for xxx” and write an in depth article about one or two of the tips
- Re-work and old article to include updates, new ideas etc
- Take a famous quote and write an article arguing for or against it, perhaps showing an unusual modern day ‘proof’
- Take your spouse/partner/friend out for a meal and discuss the topic you want to write about. Ask questions and soon you’ll have lots of fresh ideas to use
- Go for a walk – you will be amazed at the ideas that will come into your mind when you are away from the pressures of keyboard and an empty screen.
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