| When you're trying to come up with article ideas, | | | | and over and may trigger a new twist on a |
| sometimes it seems like it's feast or famine. | | | | common topic. Make a habit of doing this |
| There are days when I'm so inundated with ideas | | | | frequently so that you'll be aware of trends as |
| that I can't write them down as fast as they're | | | | they happen. 4. TV talk shows. These are not |
| coming. Sometimes I get ideas at inappropriate | | | | always interesting but can sometimes offer |
| times and places, so I end up jotting them down | | | | sudden inspiration. You may hear what problems |
| on napkins, receipts or my palm. Sometimes they | | | | are on people's minds, or you may be exposed to |
| even wake me up from a deep sleep. | | | | a particularly inspirational person. 5. Keyword |
| But what do you do on days where everything | | | | research. If you have a vague idea what you're |
| looks bleak and uninteresting, days when the | | | | hoping to write about, plugging a word into a |
| Muse forgets to show up? | | | | keyword research tool may be all it takes to |
| Here are some of my favorite sources for article | | | | inspire a new slant. |
| ideas: | | | | These are just a few ideas to get through an |
| 1. Forums. To me, nothing is as stimulating as a | | | | uninspired moment. Get in the habit of carrying a |
| visit to an active forum such as People present | | | | notebook and jotting down an article idea that |
| both problems that need to be solved and | | | | suddenly appears out of nowhere. When you |
| suggestions at solutions. Sometimes after a visit | | | | develop this habit, you'll find uninspired moments |
| to a forum, articles practically write themselves. If | | | | will become fewer and fewer. |
| you're in a hurry, just browsing discussion topics | | | | Ideas are everywhere. Learn to be open to them |
| may be all you need to get started. 2. Browse | | | | constantly and to jot them down and organize |
| article directories. By scanning through lists of | | | | them when they appear. As you start to write |
| newly added articles, ideas for a different angle | | | | them down and keep them where you can find |
| on the same topic may suddenly pop into your | | | | them when needed, you'll suddenly realize you |
| head. 3. Magazine covers. If you're still stumped, | | | | have more ideas than you'll ever be able to write |
| visit your local magazine shop or library and | | | | articles for. |
| browse at the covers. Certain topics appear over | | | | |