Check out Wade Finnegan’s Quality Writing blog: he’s interviewed yours truly. Thanks, Wade!
Yesterday was nuts. I spent the morning on a large project, then headed off to get some medical tests done. A communications foul-up had me taking a different test than the one I’d scheduled. It also meant my quick 45-minute trip turned into 2 hours and then some. So much for the work day.
But I did get a press release done by just after 5 pm. Another client – one of my favorites – sent a note and we chatted about the state of things economically and workwise. It was good to know the current issues finding clients isn’t just mine, though it’s not terribly comforting knowing we’re all suffering.
I heard back from some interview subjects, so I hope to have the magazine article wrapped up by next week. I love the topics I get from this particular editor (even though this one was my idea), and he’s just super to work with.
I’ve been checking out Google+, too. I’ve not put much time into learning it because, thankfully, I’ve been busy with projects, but it may prove to be a contender with both Facebook and Twitter. I like it better than LinkedIn already because the communication is instant and not reserved for specified groups. As I said to my brother-in-law, it’s like Facebook without the games (though he tells me they’re on the way).
Thanks again to Anne Maclachlan for sharing her story here yesterday. I love that a prompt got her going in an entirely new realm. I was sitting there thinking “Too bad we don’t have that type of thing for nonfiction writing.”
Oh, but we do.
Google Alerts. Have a favorite read every day? Set up a Google Alert. Read. Enjoy the ideas that are laced all through those articles. Look for questions not answered or questions that come out of what you read.
Blogs and forums. What – you don’t think I come here every day knowing what to say, do you? When I get stuck for ideas, I scan the Internet and see what people are talking about. I don’t use their ideas verbatim – that’s just wrong, in my book – but I’ll sometimes use their posts as jumping-off points for a continuation of the conversation. When I do that, I link to them and give full credit. Hey, it’s only right and fair.
News programs. I like Morning Joe. I like everyone around that table, and I love that there’s criticism of both political parties in an intelligent, reasoned manner. But even that gets boring, so I channel surf – HGTV, Style, NatGeo (love Dog Whisperer, and I don’t have a dog)…. Every one of those shows provides an opportunity for nonfiction topics. Just listen and ask that unasked question or answer the one that isn’t being talked about.
E-newsletters and news alerts. If you subscribe to industry newsletters or news alerts, you’ll be surprised how many great ideas are in those pages.
PR people. Whenever I work with a PR rep in getting a source interview, I go one step further and ask them what industries they represent. Then I invite their press releases and news items. I’ve had no end of success pitching ideas that PR folks have sent my way. Some have even written summaries of their source’s latest topics of interest, which are like little bullets in your article gun.
Magazines. Remember those? Pick one up and read the articles. Back in the day before computers were in every home (yes, that was actually how we lived), writers would get their ideas, sources, and part of their research from magazine articles. Why not now?
What prompts do you have that help you formulate ideas? Are they conscious or unconscious? Have you ever used a fiction prompt as the basis of a nonfiction idea you’ve pitched?
Everything is inspiration. That's why we're writers and not check out clerks.
I have my students do an exercise where they make a mark for every individual with whom they cross paths for an entire day.
Each one has an individual story. Each one has an imagined story.
Inspiration is everywhere, if you move through your day mindfully. When you don't, well, than you don't, and it reflects in the quality and quantity of your work.
That's very true, Devon. Inspiration is everywhere. Connecting to it is entirely up to the writer, and sometimes, they're not doing it. They have to train themselves to look deeply into what's right in front of them, as you say.
I like studies. Studies and statistics are great for getting ideas rolling in the nonfiction realm. I like short news items too because many of them spawn larger pieces. As an editor, I had no end of ideas from these two sources. I guess until yesterday, I didn't consider them writing prompts, but they are.
Some of my best ideas come on my training walks. I record them into my Blackberry to help my poor baby boomer brain. 🙂
Typically, those ideas go more with my personal blog than my business writing blog. For those, I love trolling Answers and Groups in LinkedIn for ideas.
For some reason, I have never been much of a Forums person. I think I fear the time suck that I would give into.
I also like to take every day objects and create post topics from that. Like I did one on business blog topics from looking at objects on my desk. Makes it interesting. At least I like to think so. 🙂
First, all of these medical tests are making me nervous. I hope everything is well Lori. Second, I tried to accept your google+ invite, but it didn't work. Sometimes technology and me don't get along.
I'm with Devon that ideas come from everywhere. I believe it is just natural curiosity. The problem I have is taking those ideas and selling them. It feels that all of my comments on many blogs return to marketing. Writers are creative people, but focusing that creativity into a paycheck is a major hurdle.
Warning! Warning! Shameless plug. 🙂
Check out the profile I wrote on Lori. It was a great interview. Thanks again Lori! She shares wonderful advice and Devon you're mentioned as well.
http://www.quality-writing.blogspot.com/
Great interview, Wade! Left a comment. 🙂
Finding a different way to look at something is always a great place for me to start. I love being inspired by the simple things, and asking questions that no one remembers to ask or no one wants to ask. Sometimes people get caught up in looking at things a certain way, but playing devil's advocate can bring on a slew of ideas.
Thanks a lot Wade…I'm planning on avoiding the computer today to take advantage of the only below-90 temps in weeks (and ahead of the mid-90s forecast for weekend and beyond) to try to tame my yard…and you just gave me another reason to stay at the computer. LOL.
Ideas really are everywhere. Listening is the key. Listen to media, sure, but really listen to what friends, neighbors, even strangers are telling you – but also listen for what's not being said.
No need to worry, Wade. Minor stuff. I just have a very cautious doctor. 🙂
Thanks again for a great interview! I had fun talking with you. And the story turned out great!
Thanks, Cathy. I'll go visit in a sec.
Ashley, that's a super idea! Devil's advocate – turn the idea upside down. Cool!
Paula, another great perspective. And I hope the weather is nice. 🙂 It's gorgeous here.
I am honored by the mention. Thank you. Left a comment and will post the link on my blog tomorrow.
Wade, a lot of my best sales have been made by working ass-backwards, doing what the pros tell you not to do. I batch write whatever I want to write, whatever interests me, and then sit down and make pertinent market lists, and off everything goes. I think that comes from doing so much work in fiction, where you need the finished project for the first x number of books before you can just sell on an outline or a proposal.
The downside is that sometimes I wind up with a backlog of projects to send out; but the upside is that it often brings in unexpected checks during lean times, because I sent something out and haven't yet followed up to see if it hit, and then there's the check.
Devon I might try that approach. I like the idea of tackling things I'm interested in. It keeps me motivated. When you sell it do you tell the perspective editor it's already written?
I get a lot of ideas via Twitter. I sit and read what conversations people are having. It's a little stalkerish but I often find that a new point or issue I haven't thought much about before comes up that is worth exploring and even writing about.