Beyond the Basics:
Ideas, Observation, and Research
by Linda S. Dupie
The tools of a writer go
beyond pen and paper or your word processor. Writers also use
non-tangible tools like observation and ideas. You need to be
aware of your surroundings, recognize and capitalize on ideas,
and have the ability to conduct research.
Research
A dreaded word for most
people, but to a writer it means uncovering new facts or
rediscovering the past. If you're not great at researching
information for an article, practice. Visit your library, and
get to know the librarians, make them your best friends. Ask for
tips on making research less painful. Do research on how to
research. There are many books on the subject of research;
they're even divided into categories according to the genre, or
topic. Research is a necessity for the well-rounded article or
story, and is an excellent tool for sparking ideas.
Observation
People tend to observe
their surroundings naturally, but as writers we need to take it
a step further. Writers need to notice and remember taste,
smell, touch, sight, and sound. And writers need to use words
effectively to transport the reader to a specific time or place.
Carrying a pocket-size notebook is helpful. Write down essential
details that help you remember the smell of the air, or how the
mist hung over the dilapidated house and left you with an eerie
feeling. Be aware of what's around you, even in a place you've
been a hundred times. You never know what might spark your
writing. When you take your daily walk, who's out when you are?
Take time to notice them. Do they have a skip in their walk or
swing their arms wildly? What facial expressions do you notice?
These are characteristics you can apply in your fiction writing.
But these observations can apply to article writing too. Take
the walker who swings his arms wildly-is this good form for a
walker? Maybe you can write an article on correct walking form.
Noticing facial expressions might lead to an article on how
exercising relieves stress.
Ideas, Ideas, Ideas
Look around; at any given
time there are thousands of ideas right in front of you.
Someone, somewhere has probably covered most topics or ideas.
But this shouldn't deter you, because your slant on the idea is
what makes your article or story stand apart from others. Your
weekly trip to the grocery store can lead to traits for
characters in your book, if you watch the people around you.
Noticing there are three new register attendants could lead to
an article about the turnover rate of employees in chain
supermarkets. Look in your own back yard. Have you noticed an
increase or decrease in the number of bugs? Find out why. Make a
list of topics you consider yourself an expert on-your children,
for instance. Have they recently had a rash you never knew
existed? If you were unaware, other parents might be as well.
Look at your pets. Have you noticed an increase in fleas or
ticks? An article on the cause of this could be a timely piece
for your local paper.
Open your eyes and mind
to the on going cycle of ideas. Observation generates ideas;
those ideas lead to research; the research brings us back to
observation and more ideas.
Here's a list of possible
Topics/Ideas from the world around you
- Pets
- Hobbies
- Children's health
- Children's Play
- Children and friends
(can include different ages and stages)
- Home remodelling/redecorating
- Home-zoning permits
- Gardening-Can include
lawn care or other seasonal information
- Local community-YMCA,
local volunteer groups/fundraising
- New local road
development- the pros and cons
- Trends/fads
- Antiques/collecting-What's
hot, what's not
- Art Galleries-Is there
a new artist spotlighted, what are the current trends in
buying art?
- Exercise
- Help wanted ads-Search
them for current trends in employment locally. Go online and
search them nationally.
- Fertility-Advances in
treatment, side affects
- School construction/remodelling
- Your retired
parents-Their quality of life compared to your expected
quality of life when you retire.
- National Debt-how it
affects you locally.
- Interest Rates-How do
they affect your quality of life before and after
retirement.
- TV-The pros and cons,
better or worse than 10 or 20 years ago, reality shows,
what's their purpose.
_____________________
Author Linda S. Dupie is
a freelance writer, she writes on a variety of subjects
including Travel, Kids and Family issues. Linda also publishes
and writes a web site and print magazine called Rainy Day
Corner for the Writing Family. |
