What Do I Write About?

Writing something totally original is also totally terrifying, right? Creating really fresh, high quality content may seem like a daunting task, but I promise you have it in you already. It may not feel like it, but stick with me through this journey and by the end of it I'll have you convinced that you 1) are really smart, 2) know about lots of things, and 3) capable of producing all kinds of article goodness. Confidence is key while generating article ideas, so take a look in the mirror and have an “I think I can” moment. Remember: You is kind, you is smart, you is important. You’ve got this!

Write What You Know

People write about what they know about. So what you do you know about? Think about the experiences you've had, the places you've been, the people you know, the books you've read, the movies you've seen, and the issues that you care about. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is an expert on something, and many people are experts on more than one thing. For example, if you have been dumped more than twice, you can go ahead and consider yourself an expert on the effects of being broken up with. BAM. There's your article idea. Or, if you have seen every 90's rom-com on Netflix, you are an expert in that particular movie genre––another great idea! Are you a foodie? How about an article on the latest menu trends; you already know what they are! (So does your wallet!)

Draw on all that you know and all that you have experienced while thinking about what to write. If you’ve seen multiple documentaries about gender-inequality, choose an angle and go for it. This doesn’t require a PhD. For some reason, most of us feel that who we are, what we care about, and what we have experienced are very uninteresting and dull. As an effect, we feel like we couldn’t possibly be the source of interesting and exciting ideas. So untrue.

Is It Worth Telling?

A key question to ask yourself during this process is "is this even worth telling?" Consider your audience. Millennials don't want to know about yard art or how to get the most out of a retirement community. An elderly crowd probably isn't going to understand an article about social media or the benefits of Uber. Has the story you want to tell or the topic you want to explore been told or explored before? If so, try to think of a fresh take on an old idea.

For example, instead of writing about Sriracha as if you discovered it yourself, admit that it is wildly popular and write about some tasty yet unexpected ways to use it. Sriracha ice cream, anyone? Remember that the most memorable and highly shared articles are always unique and fresh. If you want to leave an impact, you have to produce content that is really worth it—not something that has already been worn out.

Get your Brain Going

So, now that you're starting at your blank word doc. or notepad, let's talk about getting this thing going! You have to start somewhere. First, take some time to scour the Internet for some ideas and inspiration. What are other people writing about? Which articles are getting the most shares, likes, and comments? After that, it’s time for you to jump into the driver’s seat. Here is the perfect idea generating brainstorm questionnaire:

• What do I love in this world?
• What do I hate in this world?
• What movies and books have I seen lately?
• Who do I know that is interesting?
• What have been my most impactful life experiences?
• Where have I travelled?
• What current events do I care about?
• What cultural arenas am I involved in?

The answers to these questions should begin to stir “ah-ha!” moments in you. Sometimes, the topic won’t come from the simple answer to these questions, but don’t give up. You may need to dig deeper and get more specific. There are infinite article topics that can stem from the most simple of ideas. Take the time to take stock of your arsenal of knowledge and of the resources around you.

Stage Fright 

Still just can’t even? Okay, maybe at this point you've brainstormed, but you still just aren’t feeling the connection between “what you know” and “what you can write about.” Sometimes it’s best to leave your work, take a walk, and come back to it. You’ll be surprised by how the page that was dead to you five minutes before is now screaming ideas to you! Talking to someone might help—sometimes it just takes some kind words from your sweet mother to steer you in the right direction. If you don’t live with your mother, talking about your ideas and thinking outloud may help; use your dog as a sounding board. Have you just plain psyched yourself out completely? Remember that this is not a life or death situation and let the pressure off a little! Geez Louise.

Go For It!

It’s time for you to stop reading this article and make an article happen for yourself. Throw your “write fright” to the wayside and get excited about generating your very own original article topic and content. Your action item is to write down the first topic that pops into your head (should be something you are interested in and that you already know something about—don’t get too weird). From there, type the topic into your search engine of choice and give yourself fifteen minutes to research. Read as much as you can about the topic; if there are rabbit trails, follow them. At the end of the research period, create three subtopics that you want to explore within your main topic. WHOA! You now have an outline. From here, it’s all you.