Nonfiction Idea Generators

The hardest part of nonfiction writing is finding a subject to write about. Unless you're a student or a professional writer no one is going to select a topic for you. That means you have to come up with your own themes. If you're like most writers, your subject matter will be things that interest you. I used the headings listed below to generate ideas for my writing. Hopefully these idea generators will help you become a more productive writer.

HOW DID I SOLVE THAT PROBLEM?: This question can lead to an infinite number of article ideas. The articles that result from it are generally the easiest to market, because many people have the same problem. A writer just starting out could develop a niche by answering this question. Which was how I got started. I was an electronic technician when I published my first article. At the time I was flooded with printed information, catalogs, data sheets, articles, etc. To handle this overflow I developed a filing system. Then I wrote an article about how I solved my problem. The article entitled, "The Ultimate Electronics Reference File" was published in The Electron, a technical journal. A couple months later I was looking for a cheap source of electronic parts, test equipment, etc. (This was before E-Bay.) That thought led me to write "Getting More For Your Electronics Dollar" which appeared in the same publication.

OBJECTS: Observation and/or memory of an object can lead to many ideas. For example, I once owned a multicolored 1955 Chevrolet. With that old car in mind, I wrote an essay entitled "Ode To An Old Car" which was published by a local newspaper.

CHANGES: Some are good and some aren't, it's that simple. Either way using this topic, you can create an articles defending or attacking changes. Which I did in "The Advantages Of Flex Time" also published in a local newspaper. I set the piece in a gas station

HOW I DID IT: This is a variation on the above topic. As a woodcarver, I used this statement to detail how I created a certain kind of carving. The resulting article "Carving An Ancient Artifact" was published by Chip Chats Magazine.

OPINIONS/RANTS: Now I'm passionate about a few things in life, though some folks who know me might disagree with this statement. "Nonfiction Idea Generators" is one of the things I'm passionate about, after all I did write this article. But, what I'm not sure of is whether this is an opinion piece or a rant.

READ: Newspapers, magazines, e-zines, cereal boxes, and anything else you can wrap your eyes around. Read to find ideas for future articles. Ask yourself, as you read, "is there anything here I can use? Does this leave me with unanswered questions?" If so, good. That is what you're looking for. Write down your thoughts and save them along with the article. More about this later.

LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS: Sometimes, when friends talk you'll hear something that sounds like a great subject for an article. An article you know you can write. But before you do, you probably should ask for permission to use the info-if you value the friendship.

SOMETHING THAT MADE YOU LAUGH: Changes are, it'll make others laugh, too.

SOMETHING YOU'RE CURIOUS ABOUT: One of the best sources of nonfiction ideas can be found by just wondering about something. Example, in a chemistry class studying different types of sugars, I asked the instructor how brown sugar was made. He said he didn't know and assigned the topic to me. I did the research and wrote a two page report (about 300 words) on the subject.

PUT YOUR DREAMS TO WORK: I had a dream about selling an essay, which I had hadn't even written at the time of the dream. The essay, now exists, and is part of an e-book I am writing. The essay is about putting my world back together, as a freelance writer, after being laid off from NASA Glenn Research Center, where I worked for sixteen years as a subcontractor. This is not an easy thing to write about; but since the dream, I now have a use for that story.

USE LISTS OF CURRENT MARKETS: Here is a great way to find not only subject matter, but also a market for the piece, should you write it. But before you do a knock-their-socks-off piece for a listing: read the writer's guidelines, study the publication and its advertising. The advertising will tell you a lot about the publication and its readers.

REVERSE A PUBLISHED ARTICLE'S IDEA: The article you clipped above could serve as an idea generator, if you reverse the argument put forth in the article.

SAVE YOUR ARTICLE IDEAS: When you find an article idea, write it down. Use a single sentence. Put the idea away for a few days. Then go back to it, find a target market. Study the publication you intend to submit it to. What kind of people read this journal? Slant your article for those readers.

Remember, use you Article Idea Generators often and wisely. An idea is a terrible thing to waste. Good Luck.

About The Author

Neal Naughton is a technical writer, copywriter, and creative writer. He is also a ghostwriter, who can handle your next article etc. You can reach him at nealnaughton@WRITENEAL.COM. All of his articles are copwrited and can not be reproduced without his written permission.

---

The Iniquitous Slip

All the famous writers I heard of could paper the... Read More

7 Journaling Tips

Set your journal or diary where you will see it... Read More

Sharpen Your Writing With Structure

At some point, every serious writer is forced to sit... Read More

7 Devastating Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Writing engaging articles and energizing ad copy takes... Read More

Proof Positive: the importance of proofreading

Last week I was having a quick browse on eBay... Read More

Autobiography: Installment No.3

ESSAY 3Writing an autobiography involves a matching up of a... Read More

A Checklist For Drafting Business Letters And Emails

Write Right - You have an all important business letter... Read More

Discover the Writer Hiding Inside You

Has the thought run across you mind that you might... Read More

7 Essential Letter Writing Strategies

Based on the feedback that I have been getting from... Read More

Get Rich Writing With Your Computer Word Processor

Your computer is a writing machine, a word processor, a... Read More

14 Tips On Writing The Short-Short Story

The short-short story has been likened by some as being... Read More

Publish It Now! No Matter What It Is

Do you want to publish something? An article, a non-fiction... Read More

Pages: Your Book of Life

Many of us dream of writing a book. Why not.... Read More

Arouse Your Short Story And See It Published

Are you ready to abandon your short stories? Before you... Read More

The Value of Adding Images to Technical Documentation

It's cliché, but true-a picture does paint a thousand words.... Read More

Increase Your Web Traffic By Using Keyword Articles

If you have an online home based business you know... Read More

7 Reference Books for Your Desk

I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More

Hey Cient, this is Me! Find Your Writing Voice and Sell Yourself

In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More

Learn to Talk on Paper: The Art of Effective Business Writing

Rudolf Flesch, a specialist in writing skills, ran classes... Read More

Why I Write

I started writing as a way of keeping safe memories... Read More

7 Book Publicity Tips for Authors and Small Publishers

The biggest mistake authors make when trying to get free... Read More

Writing with a Sense of Adventure

We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More

How Are You Plotting?

Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More

Unusual Points of View

Most writers are familiar with first and third points of... Read More

Whose Story Is It?

Whenever you sit down to plot a story (or even... Read More

Revising Your Manuscript: Fourteen Questions to Ask Yourself

1) Can you summarize the story in about a sentence... Read More

Creating Great Business Correspondence

Obtaining the skills for writing good business correpondence is important;... Read More

Writing Short Info Reports

People want information, they want it quick, frequently in short... Read More

Screenwriting ? The Value of Structure

Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More

Learning to Question Your Elephant Child: Who, What, Where, When and Why

Having problems writing? I don't know why. San Francisco Chronicle... Read More

Review of A Classic: Finneys Invasion of The Body Snatchers

To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More

English Grammar ? Seven Outdated Rules You Can Ignore

No matter what your fifth-grade English teacher says, some grammar... Read More

Writing Help

Whether you are working for a small business, large corporation,... Read More