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Many would be writers fall at the first hurdle, generating ideas. Often telling themselves that this is a creative process which can't be learned. Nothing could be further from the truth.

There are several tried and tested techniques which lend themselves to the process. But writers must start by being receptive. Opening their minds to all the information that flows about their world and asking questions about it. Who would be interested in that? How could I say it in a different way? What is my unique take on that subject?

Advice often given to new writers is to write about what they know, but this can be limiting. After all, with a little research we can all gain knowledge and expertise on any amount of new subjects.

Listen to people and take note of any questions that they ask. Anything that they wonder about is subject matter for the writing mill. And why? Because they have demonstrated a potential, and interested, readership. If they ask questions about something it can be assumed they would like to read about it, and, importantly, that a commissioning editor might like to buy an article on the subject.

This serves a twofold purpose. First, it is an excellent way to generate those ideas, and second writers will be considering markets from the outset.

It is useful to consider the market place for writing immediately. Short articles for the Internet provide a satisfying, and instant, place to publish. And when one considers that magazine style articles are invariably about one single idea (indeed the word article means a, single, thing) this helps to control the flow of ideas, making them useful and ready for production.

Of course eavesdropping on conversations often only gives the germ of an idea. But take some advice from Rudyard Kipling and one single piece of information can become a whole series of ideas.

I keep six honest serving men

(The taught me all I knew)

Their names are What and Why and When

And How and Where and Who.

Keep this short poem in mind and there will never be a shortage of material to write about again.

Let's say you want to write about a local amateur theater, which in itself isn't an idea. But using Kipling's serving men the possibilities become endless. Where is it located? How did it come into existence? Who are the actors? What kind of shows does it produce? When do seasons run? Why did it open in the first place?All of these can be written about independently.

Did I say endless? Let us look a little more closely at who. We have already asked who are the actors, but who comprises the audience? Who does the backstage work, or front of house? Who has used the theater as a stepping stone to stardom? Whose plays have been produced? The list goes on and on with the very welcome benefit that one piece of research will suffice for several different article ideas.

Obviously generating ideas can be a very exciting process, but just one word of caution. Ask yourself, realistically, how many articles will you be able to write in the initial stages. If it is one every week, then one idea per week will keep you going. Once you step up the pace the ideas will continue to flow. In fact, once you have established good writing habits there will always be more ideas that one person can ever handle.

Learn more about this author, Michael Carroll.
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