Idea-Mining for Writers, 102

As many authors are fond of stating, "Ideas are all around!" when asked to be more specific. Well, in a way, that's true. Ideas ARE all around. You just have to know how and where to look for them. If anything, you will have to read like a writer.

Reading like a writer means focusing on items that catch your attention, make you wonder, or make you angry or happy. So after you've read the paper or a magazine, don't throw it out or put it aside yet. If that paper or magazine belongs to you, go back and mark or clip stuff that caught your attention and held it. Perhaps you read the entire article or skimmed it for information that mattered to you.

Chances are that you may have come across a sentence or paragraph that stated an idea much too briefly in passing. But there was something about it that engaged your curiosity and for a few seconds, raised questions. Perhaps you felt that it was too bad that the author did not explain his or her idea just a little further. Pay attention because this may be just the idea that you can develop into an article, story or book with more research.

At this point, consider clipping or highlighting that idea trigger and save it. You can do this by pasting or taping it on a blank notebook page and writing your questions and ideas below it.

Books, journals, pamphlets, fact sheets and even references are full of interesting stuff that can spark ideas. Of course, you will not be able to clip or highlight all of them, but no matter. Jot the idea trigger down, along with the name of the source and page numbers, if possible. If you need to refer to that source again, you will be able to locate it by looking at your notes.

And while you are at it, remember to take a look at your own published and unpublished articles and book manuscripts. As you reread, focus on seemingly little things that could have been expanded a bit more. For example, maybe you can grow that unpublished article into a book!

Another good source is that magazine or book subject that you've only been mildly interested in, but didn't look at again. Even if you're not "into" subjects such as RVs, astrology or mechanics or skiing, you might find it useful to at least skim magazines on those topics. How can one of those given topics be connected or related to your favorite activity or interest? And who else might be interested in it, or at least have problems understanding it or its implications? And be sure to peruse magazines such as Mother Jones, Utne, Harper's, and Atlantic Monthly. You'll notice stuff that may or should concern people, but isn't getting a lot of attention --- yet.

By the time you're finished, you will have accumulated a number of ideas to write about. I can almost guarantee it! Happy hunting, reading and writing!

Dorothy Zjawin, a published writer, has included more ideas in her website, http://www.profitable-pen.com

---

Boost Your Income With Trade Journals

Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't... Read More

Characters In A Romance Novel

Before you even begin writing your novel, you need to... Read More

Business Writing Tip: Question & Answer Format

Traditionally, business writing uses the "one thing after another" format,... Read More

Why Every Freelancer Should Have A Web Site

"Do I send samples, a media kit, or just the... Read More

Writing Tips for your Journey

Tips for your writing journeySo, you'd like to be a... Read More

When I Grow Up

I've just come back to work after nine glorious, sun-drenched... Read More

Dig Deeper to Reveal Character

He ran up the steps and knocked on the door.... Read More

Screenwriting ? The Value of Structure

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

Masquerading As Novel ~ Can Author?s Work Convey Important Perceptions?

While novels do not usually attempt to convey concepts about... Read More

Business Writing: 10 Great Authors

Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More

A Simple Contest with a Strong Message: Wake Up Your Writing Spirit

The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More

71 Ways For A Writer To Make Money

There are so many ways for writers to make good... Read More

A New Way To Self Publish

More and more good authors are turning to the Internet... Read More

Balance Your Life

Balance your life ... Read More

Check Your English Grammar With This Easy Technique

As an International language, English has been used widely in... Read More

Slow Pokes: Short Story On The Changing World Of Writing

"No one will ever know who I am, I'm a... Read More

Under The Leaded Sky in Serbia by dr Mirjana Radovic

When one population in one century survived five wars, two... Read More

Five EASY Ways to Improve Your Business Writing

Have you ever wondered why some people can make millions... Read More

Screenwriting, Screenplays, Screenwriters ? Incremental Productivity

When attempting to understand Creativity and Innovation, it pays to... Read More

Write Your Story, Put It On A Website, Sell Millions of Copies

Although he has his own website, John Grisham probably does... Read More

Write Your Life

Take out a white piece of paper and place it... Read More

Writer School?

Here's something from my mailbag. "Dear Michael, do you need... Read More

Top 10 Tips to Complete a Creative Writing Project Without Losing Your Creativity

Have you ever started a creative writing project with great... Read More

Every Result is an Asset

Not long ago, I went to an Internet Marketing Seminar.... Read More

Fight The Fluff!

The first and final rule of quality writing is this:... Read More

Does Your Fight Scene Pack a Punch?

Long ago, movie directors mastered the technique of creating a... Read More

Writing Is Not Life-threatening

Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More

Comma Usage Made Simple

Don't they drive you nuts?You can visit all the rules... Read More

Six Tips for Submitting Fiction - if you want it to get published

You can learn a lot about what it takes to... Read More

Writing Your Best-Selling Non-Fiction Book Title

Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More

Power Writing 101: Tips and Tricks to Get You Taken Seriously!

In my ten years as an advertiser, I've encountered plenty... Read More

How to Write a Short Story

Everybody knows writing a story is not easy. Like the... Read More

Italics Part 2 - Using Italics to Show Thoughts

Way back in your early school years, you were probably... Read More