One of the challenges writers have is coming up with great ideas to write about. Writer’s block is a real thing. It’s also part and parcel of being a writer. To overcome writer’s block you need to have a good source of inspiration to keep your creative juices flowing and most importantly you need to start with a brilliant topic.
Did you know 70% of the population says they would love to write a book? The reason they don’t get started is they don’t know what to write about or they don’t know where to start. In today’s blog, I will tackle the first issue – How to generate ideas brilliant ideas so you can write an awesome book.
Here are 6 ways to generate brilliant ideas worth writing about:
#1 Life Experiences
Writing about life experiences can be cathartic for the writer and for the reader. Here’s where you can close your eyes and take a trip down memory lane and consider events in your life worth sharing.
Experiences sell because they are raw, real and relatable. When you’ve gone through the experience you have unique insights that can set you apart from other writers. Maybe you’ve had life experiences like that you’ve learned lessons worth sharing. When reflecting on your past life circumstances consider the good, the bad and ugly.
- Start with brainstorming the best things that have happened in your life.
- Then brainstorm the toughest challenges you’ve lived through.
- Situations that have made you feel angry, hurt, disappointed
- Situations that made you feel excited, happy, intrigued.
- Circumstances that made you think or act differently.
- Lessons learned in a positive or negative way.
You may find it hard to stop at 10 so if you have more keep writing. The goal is to generate ideas and to keep you inspired.
#2 Formal Skills & Qualifications
Write what you know is great advice for any writer. Most people take this to mean write about the academic knowledge you have however when it comes to what you know, you know a hell-of-a-lot. For this piece, let’s look at your skillset. Everyone has skills. You may have formal qualifications and work experience and expertise but you’ll also have life skills to draw on too.
- Start with your formal skills and qualifications.
- Write down everything you’ve studied and learned formally.
- Then write down your work experience, places you’ve worked for and the roles you’ve had.
- Things you wished you had known before you started that career
- How things could improve
- What made it good, bad, forgettable
When you write about your skills or acquired knowledge your writing will have more of a formal feel to it. It’s important to consider the style of writing that will convey your message most appropriately.
Even if your writing is formal it can and should still be entertaining.
#3 Hobbies & Passion
When you write about something you enjoy and are passionate about you bring in a certain enthusiasm for your readers. This keeps your writing fresh and entertaining. States and feelings are contagious so you want your reader to feel what you’re feeling.
When you write about something you enjoy your writing will be drenched in inspiration and motivation.
- What do you love spending your time doing the most?
- What are you drawn to do in your spare time?
- What do you do even if you’re not getting paid to do it?
- Do you subscribe to any magazines or memberships on a specific topic?
- Are you involved in any group activities or sports?
- Do you have any unique or quirky talents?
Brainstorm all the hobbies you’ve had in your life to get a good range of topics to write about.
#4 Overcoming Hardship
Life is a mix of ups and downs, positives and negatives. We all face challenges in our lives. Some are small and some are game changers. This is my favorite thing to write and read about. Here you get to right from the heart and heal the soul.
- Think back over your life and list out any challenge you’re overcome.
- Write down the challenges that come to mind
- Why did those specific challenges come to your mind?
- What was the outcome?
- What could have been done differently?
- What do you wish someone had told you at the time?
- Could anything have made it better or worse?
- You don’t need to limit this to your life.
- Reflect on people you’ve met in your life who may have overcome challenges
This is a great way to generate a list of ideas to write about. Even if it’s not your story you can write the story from your perspective.
#5 Reaching A Goal
Here’s another favorite of mine. I love transformational, inspiring stories! Have you set out to achieve a goal in the past, taken action and made it happen? This is a good place to boost your confidence when it comes to your writing. Everyone loves a winner, don’t they!
- List down any goals you’ve made and achieved.
- List any goals you wanted to achieve but didn’t make it.
- Why did you set out to achieve that goal?
- What was the purpose?
- What could you have done differently?
- Was it worth the effort? What advice would you give someone else who wanted to achieve the same goal?
- How did you keep up the motivation?
- Did you get any help?
- What did you do to celebrate?
The good thing about this topic is, if you achieved the goal it’s a great story of triumph and if you didn’t achieve the goal your story can have lots of different avenues to explore.
#6 Missed Moments
Life brings us many opportunities and if we are lucky we seize those moments in life. If you’re conscious enough to recognize those opportunities in the moment then you have a great story to tell. If you missed the moment, then you have a different story to tell. Not all missed moments are regrets sometimes they are blessings in disguise.
- Take a moment and consider any missed moments in your life and write them all out.
- If the moment came around again what would you do differently?
- If you did seize the moment how would your life be different today?
- What emotions do you feel now when you think about it?
Writing about missed moments is a great way to evoke emotion and create a connection with your readers.
Conclusion
If you take the time to go through the above 6 steps you will create enough inspiration to write books for your entire lifetime.
Maybe you’re ready for the next step, which is to start writing your book.
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