Can't get any writing inspiration? Try this trick - choose a title from any article on the internet or find a catchy headline in today's newspaper or a magazine, and have a go of writing your own article on the same title. Avoid reading the article first but instead, try the following steps to create original, captivating material!
Sue Oaks, Copyright 2012
- Choose a title, for example in a recent post I chose 'Fragile Life - Diseases in the world today', which is a very general topic area.
- Gather your thoughts and ideas to work out what you already know about the topic - use a range of brain-storming techniques such as the ones found on Persistence Unlimited http://www.persistenceunlimited.com/2010/08/10-brainstorming-techniques-that-help-stimulate-your-individual-creativity/
- Research - use Google to find some relevant and up-to-date information on your topic. Be sure to write down your source and include as a reference in your article.
- Divide into sub-headings. From the information you have gathered, choose 4 - 6 sub-headings. For my article on deady diseases I was able to divide a very general subject into a number of distinct areas which then guided the direction of the piece.
- Write your paragraphs. Keep them short, around five-six lines is a good average measure.
- Add an introduction to capture the attention of your audience, and finish off with a couple of lines which leave the reader thinking. Asking a question can be a good way to invite some reader comments.
- Illustrate - choose one or two photos or illustrations which you think will highlight the information in your article. You can use your own gallery of photos, take new ones or use a photo-site from the Internet such as istockphoto http://www.istockphoto.com/ where you can purchase photos for around $1.00.
- Proof-read and edit your article! Grab a friend to read through, use spell-check and make sure your article is formatted in a simple, readable style.
- Share your article - on your own blog, on someone elses blog (try myblogguest.com for example), or offer to a publisher! There's a world out there of readers looking for new material, so get it out there!
Sue Oaks, Copyright 2012