Where to find good ideas
Oh, hi friends!
How do you find ideas?
I was talking to a friend about this, and wanted to share what works for me…
Be curious. We all read the same five articles about the same five topics, but what's the one sentence that makes you go, "Huh!" Maybe it's a mention of a costume designer or some tidbit of research. To find deeper stories you have to go beyond the usual. And I never know exactly what I want to write until I start asking more questions.
Also, it's nearly impossible to find great story ideas while scrolling through Twitter or the Internet (Lord, I have tried). Think about the most compelling person you've recently met. What made them interesting? What did they say that stuck in your mind? What can you ask them? Can they introduce you to their friends? Interesting people hang with interesting people.
What have you seen out in the world that made you stop and go “hmm"? Random things that have made me stop recently: creative subway ads, a flyer at my local grocer, a new type of chocolate bar (YEAH I’M ACTUALLY HUMAN). Those all contain seeds of story ideas.
Consider what’s bothering you or your friends. Problems or conflict are a good way in to a story, whether it's a reported essay or a germ of something you can use to interview someone else.
And try talking out your ideas with people. When I'm telling someone about an idea and I get really excited and ramble forever—that's when I know I should stop talking and start writing.
Follow your enthusiasm, and the ideas will flow.
“You do what you’re interested in. I say this: If you really have a dream, don’t be the loser with a dream. To me, a loser with a dream is someone who pursues what they think other people did and try to do it. Yes, take advice and take clues from people, but go with what’s in your gut and what you know is going to interest you and you’ll talk compellingly about it.... These are the kinds of things that just make your career soar. And also, if you’re looking forward to doing it, you know you’re supposed to be doing it.”
Lisa Lampanelli is bringing the tough love.
Seeking Some Solitude?
Getaway is basically Airbnb for a bunch of tiny cute houses up in the Catskills. All you have to do is drive there. Oh hey, smartest business idea ever.
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Love, Kara