Shane Eric Mathias
I would say that a curious person rarely has to search for inspiration. Prior to being a writer, I spent much of my professional life traveling as a specialist in drinking water issues. During my travels, I listened to countless hours of talk radio. Then when podcasts came along, I didn't have to wait to be near a radio station, I could save audio files about subjects I was interested in and play them during my commute. As audio is only processed by one sense, hearing, it is left to the listener to generate images in the mind to help visualize and interpret what they are hearing. I think in a way, that has helped me to crack the code of ideas and events more rapidly and with greater insight. I can lay the various elements out in my mind's eye and see the connections. Then it is only a matter of figuring out how to articulate my conclusions.
Here is an example: I recently heard an article on NPR (National Public Radio) about the emergence of a new cabinet level position in various Middle Eastern countries, with the intention of counteracting the hopelessness so prevalent there now. The position is called "Minister of Happiness". Now that is a fascinating subject and one I will be researching in the near future for an article on my blog: www.happinesstree.org
Just listen to what people are saying or to some new development in the news and think about the ramifications of that. Do some research, take some notes, add in your own sentiments about the subject and voila!! You have an article.
As a non-fiction writer that is how I tend to approach my craft. For fiction writers, the initial idea generation can be the same, but the story can go anywhere you want it to. Imagine what might happen if ......... so and so.
Capiche? Now put on your curiosity cap and start listening to what's going on all around you. When an idea catches your attention, if you don't have time to write about it, make a note detailed enough to remind you what piqued your interest and come back to it later.
Here is an example: I recently heard an article on NPR (National Public Radio) about the emergence of a new cabinet level position in various Middle Eastern countries, with the intention of counteracting the hopelessness so prevalent there now. The position is called "Minister of Happiness". Now that is a fascinating subject and one I will be researching in the near future for an article on my blog: www.happinesstree.org
Just listen to what people are saying or to some new development in the news and think about the ramifications of that. Do some research, take some notes, add in your own sentiments about the subject and voila!! You have an article.
As a non-fiction writer that is how I tend to approach my craft. For fiction writers, the initial idea generation can be the same, but the story can go anywhere you want it to. Imagine what might happen if ......... so and so.
Capiche? Now put on your curiosity cap and start listening to what's going on all around you. When an idea catches your attention, if you don't have time to write about it, make a note detailed enough to remind you what piqued your interest and come back to it later.
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