Coming Up With Writing Ideas

Images by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

I'm sitting here trying to come up with something to write about as it seems my creative well is running dry. I know it's not, but there are times when the ideas don't come on as easily as others. It kind of sucks. So, here's what I'm doing.

I've spent the past couple of hours running through social media sites, but because of the state of the world right now, that's not working. Too much negativity to make me feel creative. I've tried very hard to avoid writing about all the stuff going on as there's enough crap out there--both true and not-so-true--to give everyone something to read. I want to write something completely different.

So, what's a braindead old broad to do? Just start writing. 

My next trick is to do a freewrite. I've done a couple of them on this site, as well as a few others. This whole piece is actually a freewrite, but as usual, I'm not following the rules. Freewriting, for me anyway, is just a way to get some stuff off my mind to allow other stuff to come through. My brain has been way too clogged up recently and I needed to make some room.

Another trick I use to come up with writing ideas is to do a word association piece. I don't do mine like most people, I just come up with 3 or 4 random words and find a way to use them all together. It's kind of weird, but I've written some of my best fictional pieces this way. Here, try it:

Pig, banister, frying pan, gas tank
Jackhammer, tower, blog post, flower pot

Pick either of those two sets of words and create something from them. Anything. Make it a poem, a story, an article...whatever. Just as long as you use each word in your piece. You'll be amazed at the different directions your brain will go in doing so.

My favorite way to find ideas is by just letting my mind wander. I have an overactive imagination and can come up with some very odd scenarios. I can travel to the moon, ride a goat to France, or hang out with my celeb-flavor-of-the-moment. Now, jot down some of the stranger parts of your little mind trip. What did you see? What did you smell? What did you hear? Now, put it all together and see what you come up with. Have fun with it. After all, isn't that why we write???

Some days the ideas will flow like a river, others it's more like pulling teeth. I know I'm not alone in my quest to come up with writing ideas. I hope as I come up with new ways, I'll be able to pass them along. 

If you have any other ideas, please feel free to share them. I'd love to hear about them and maybe give them a try as well.

Until next time,

Happy writing