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What do you do to come up with topics to write about?

Posted by binventive • 5/24/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blog, ideas for blogging, Topics, writers block

I used to blog a lot, then got out of it since I became busy with other things and didn't make the time to update my blogs very often. Since fairly frequently updated (hopefully interesting!) content seems to be important in terms of consistently drawing visitors/readers, how do you come up with ideas on what to write about? I have a few ways to come up with ideas (e.g., interesting things I encounter when browsing around the Internet, things that happen in my life or in the life of others, current events/news, things I'm interested in, etc.). But, I'm wondering what others do to find ideas to write about.

User Comments

5/24/07

creative666

I keep a notepad/text file on my desktop at all times and write everything down I think of! Then I tick them off one by one... I have 33 in there at the moment.

I also buy a monthly mag and then read what the press are saying in my niche then translate that into what it means for the online niche.

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5/24/07

Angela

I've started a list of keywords for one of my blogs. I'm using keyword tools to analyze those keywords in order to get a better feel for which subjects appear to be most interesting to the public.

From there my plan is to research a keyword or groups of keywords and compile the facts. Finally I will write in my own words about what I've discovered and learned from my research as well as that which I already know.

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5/24/07

ThriftShopRomantic

I've got a list of the back of an envelope currently. (Not that I recommend that particular technique. :-)

But like our good friend the ostrich above, I've got a pretty big list I work from, and check off.

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5/25/07

GrimlyFiendish

Generally, I watch the news and observe the antics of my fellow man. Subject matter is endless, I just dont write about it all because I want to retain the last vestiges of my sanity and faith in humanity (oooh a rhyme! ).

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5/25/07

jphillips

i usually don't try to much to come up with ideas, what i do is sit down at the computer and start writing, and usually after a couple minutes i have at least 5-6 things to write about, most of those posts are not published or finished writing yet, but when the creative juices are flowing that's when i finish them, and hit "publish" or time-stamp them.

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5/25/07

binventive

Thanks for the replies everyone.

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5/25/07

VampireFaust

Well, my Eternal Vigilance(tm) site (www.gabriellefaust.com/)focuses on updates about the release of Book One, the progress of the rest of the series, updates about events/conferences I am involved with and other Dalton Publishing events/author signings...My other blogs like the ones I maintain on Live Journal and MySpace are more open to ramblings and rantings about life and other random tidbits of interest...

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5/25/07

SEMZone

1. confidence that you have good ideas
2. during the times you don't have writer's block, try writing extra posts for the days when you're stuck
3. do keyword research - look at the "long tail" results - they could give you ideas for posts for months to come

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5/25/07

cymrusteve

Ideas come to me throughout the day: when I drive, when I run, when I watch TV, when I talk to my wife and daughter, when I read, whenever. I try to remember as many things as possible and jot them down the first chance I get.
Actually getting around to writing and posting them is a different matter

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11/12/08

lnclark1950

I look at my life experiences and consider what lessons I learned from them. Then I try to write those things in a way that will be interesting and beneficial to those who read my post.

Sometimes I go to my favorite coffee house Homer's and drink a good cup of mocha and consider what I should write about.

www.homerscoffeehouse.com/old/PSGallery/index.htm

realmenrock.blogspot.com

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11/12/08

Hangingonahyphen

I try to remember my own experiences. If that doesn't work, I write about other people's experiences - my friends, relatives, co-workers. I also observe people and spin stories about them. I write short stories by the way. My latest post is about a messenger.

www.hangingonahyphen.blogspot.com

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11/12/08

rmaxwell142

Well, since my blog is about history, I try to learn about different things either by watching the History Channel, reading other history blogs, read books, watch movies, visit historical places, listen to podcasts, etc. If something sparks my curiosity, it usually ends up on my blog!

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11/12/08

drjay1966

I have traumatic experiences.
They give me depth.

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11/12/08

saiffarooqi

i dont really have to make much of an effort to think about what i have to write, ideas come naturally to me ... i believe that im kind of a thinker and i look at life and various life situations from a critical and analytical perspective, which leads to form my own views/opinions about them and develop certain new ideas related to those issues. this is from where i draw out ideas to write about in my blog.

... i also read a lot, which also inspires me to write about diverse topics.

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11/12/08

loverofjazz

i only write when i'm in the mood. i may not be the ideal personality type for blogging. sometimes i post a few things in a day and then don't write anything for a while. i'd probably post more if i could stay off chat forums like this.

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11/13/08

KeeleyHotjobsin

Theres some really good points written here. If your someone who doesnt have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all! That's what i say.

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