When You Get Writer's Block, Start Reading

Is there anyone on Activerain who hasn't experienced writer's block? 

Whether you're a brand new member or have hundreds of thousands of points, there are some days when inspiration seems to be on sabbatical.  Your brain is absolutely void of ideas.  When that happens to me, I start reading... 

 

FIVE SOURCES FOR BLOG TOPIC IDEAS:

1. Both my personal and business email accounts have folders labeled "blog ideas" - announcements from local organizations, county government, and the like.  I subscribe to these notices for just such an occasion and sometimes never use them, but they often provide inspiration for a blog post or two.  Even a junk-email ad could trigger some activity in your brain!
   
   
2. Local government websites have been the sources of interesting blog topics for me such as a police boat auction, an annual fishing contest sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, leaf pick-up guidelines, the new county website for finding everything from the nearest recycling center to the nearest library.  And school websites always have something new since the last time I looked - teacher of the year, volunteer of the week, announcements, test scores... the list is endless.
   
   
3. Other Activerain posts often inspire, too, so start reading and commenting.  I may disagree with the author or wish to add a different perspective but, when my comment on their post becomes too long-winded, I'll just cut and past it into a new post.  Sometimes it's even the comments that inspire, so don't overlook reading the comments when you read a post.
   
   
4. Random websites can sometimes provide blog fodder, as well.  My daughter read a job announcement for Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, and clicked through to learn a little about Lewisburg.  One of the features on that website was "Ten fun things to do in Lewisburg" and she sent me a link to it because she thought it looked like a great place to live.  I thought so, too, but realized we have plenty of fun things to do in our area - and my series "Fun things to do in Bowie MD" was born.  (Check it out!)
   
   
5. Newspapers, magazines, or even junk mail could get your wheels turning, so read, read, read.  Sometimes the things that annoy you most are the ones that awaken the most passion in your writing... and subsequently, in comments by those who read your post.
   

 

There are many other sources of blog topics, but this list should help get you started the next time you experience writer's block

Try it, and let me know if reading more helps your blog-writing.

 

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