The Opulence of October: Where to find writing ideas—Guest put up by Tami Kamin Meyer
Write Now Columbus editor Tami Kamin Meyer shares how she comes up with ideas for writing her articles and tales
I spent a lot of September touring this nice and exquisite nation. I used to be blessed with every week in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains and every week soaking within the solar and waves on Tybee Island, Georgia. While in Breckenridge, Colorado, I actually spent a whole day staring on the majesty of Baldy Mountain, an unlimited peak, 12,441 toes excessive. It stood like a beacon of the mountains. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.
After a quick respite at residence for laundry and canine kisses, I drove 1,700 miles to Tybee, then Atlanta, then residence. This distinctive state of affairs afforded me time to ponder a myriad of matters and pay attention to a superb ebook on CD.
I don’t recall every little thing my thoughts touched throughout that lengthy drive, however I’m sure about one factor: I believed typically about writing.
As my arms gripped the leather-based steering wheel of my convertible, I recalled articles I had written and ones that had been due. I reminisced on how I conjured some of the ideas for articles I ultimately wrote, and concerning the many extra tales I’d like to have revealed after I find them a house. I additionally smiled after I recalled a query folks ask typically of me and different writers.
“How do you come up with story ideas?”
That query actually perplexes folks, which is comprehensible. Methods for producing story ideas are as distinctive as the author who creates them.
I don’t have a formulation for conjuring story ideas. I do know some writers who brainstorm for solutions by writing a phrase, then brainstorming each idea or phrase relating to it. Out of these scribblings, the author hopes to piece collectively an concept about what to write about.
I don’t work that manner.
I feel of ideas organically. Story solutions come to me from an article or ebook I’m studying, or from one thing I hear on the TV or radio. Recently, a good friend talked about how the Holocaust led to the assembly of his dad and mom, and ultimately his delivery. His distinctive perspective about how he owes his very life to the vagary of the Holocaust shocked me at first. I had by no means thought-about a degree of view like his earlier than. However, after the preliminary shock of his story wore off, a narrative concept got here to thoughts.
And that’s how I provide you with article writing ideas.
Sometimes, an concept is expounded to a subject at hand. Or, a narrative suggestion merely enters my thoughts with out warning or impetus. Suddenly, they’re simply there. I maintain a pen and paper by the facet of my mattress and subsequent to my favourite seat on my lounge sofa, simply in case the temper strikes.
Some of my ideas are based in my private pursuits, whereas others spotlight matters that pique my consideration. I by no means know when an concept will come to thoughts. I additionally sheepishly admit to forgetting many extra ideas than I’ve ever researched or written about. If I don’t make myself commit the suggestion to paper when it comes to thoughts, I normally overlook it. It’s gone perpetually. Even if I write an concept down, I might not be ready to decipher my handwriting or unscramble my hieroglyphics after I attempt to learn my scribblings.
That bums me out, of course, nevertheless it’s all half of the inventive course of.
This month I’ll finalize an article for a properly-identified publication, researching and writing a few one-time Ohio State athlete and, of course, mining my world for ideas for what to write about subsequent.
(c)Tami Kamin Meyer, 2021, all rights reserved
This essay initially appeared in Write Now Columbus, a free, month-to-month electronic mail e-newsletter for central Ohio writers and readers. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
