Finding Topics to Write About

Summary

A content writer finds inspiration in their South Asian heritage to write about the region's rich history, culture, and social issues on Medium, overcoming writer's block and connecting with a global audience.

Abstract

The writer, previously employed by a news channel, faced difficulty in choosing topics for personal expression on Medium after realizing daily fiction writing was unsustainable. After a period of searching for inspiration and feeling discouraged, a sudden rainfall and a song about rain sparked the idea to explore and write about the diverse and ancient cultures, traditions, and social realities of the South Asian sub-continent. The writer has since compiled a list of topics, addressing both the vibrant aspects and the prevalent social injustices of the region. This approach has not only provided a sense of duty and pride in their roots but also allowed the writer to share the lesser-known facets of their homeland with the world, fulfilling the curiosity of readers who may not be able to travel and experience it firsthand.

Opinions

The writer values the freedom Medium offers in choosing topics and appreciates the platform for enabling writers to specialize in genres that resonate with them.
There is an acknowledgment that while writing prompts are available online, they may be too general for some writers, including the author.
The writer believes that personal surroundings and heritage are rich sources of writing material, advocating for the exploration of one's own culture and land as a means to find topics worth writing about.
The writer feels a strong sense of responsibility to discuss social injustices prevalent in their region, despite the challenges of maintaining objectivity.
There is a sense of pride and accomplishment in being able to represent the writer's homeland and its history through their writing on Medium.
The writer encourages others to use their voice to tell the stories of those who are voiceless, suggesting that in doing so, writers might also discover their own unique stories to tell.
The writer expresses gratitude towards readers who have engaged with and appreciated their work, indicating a sense of community and support within the Medium platform.

Finding Topics to Write About

What should I write about today?

When I was working in a news channel as content writer, I never faced this problem because I was paid to write on demand. Writing for the sake of self-expression is quite different.

When I started writing on medium I was determined to write about anything and everything that comes to my mind. Not everyone can write about everything, so you automatically become the writer of a specific genre or two. The best thing about Medium is the freedom of choosing a topic.

I love writing fiction but when I started writing, I got to know that I cannot write a piece of fiction every other day. I searched the internet for writing prompts and topics etc. There are some very good suggestions out there but for me, it was all too general. I did not post anything for a few days after posting my first short story, ‘Birthday’.

I was feeling disappointed with myself because I did not have a topic to write about. I was sulking in front of my laptop when it started to rain. Nothing uplifts my mood so much as rain does. I started singing an Urdu classic song about rain.

At that moment I realized what I needed was right there in front of me. I was standing on a ground that has more than five thousand years old history. A land that has more than 700 different local languages and dialects. A land that has traditions and customs so colorful that the world still thinks of it as a land of mysteries. A land that was called the jewel of the British crown when it was a British colony.

That’s how it all started.

I started writing about the different cultures and traditions, customs and rituals of the South Asian sub-continent. Things that are unique for the rest of the world. I made a list of topics that I wanted to talk about. Almost every morning I add something new to that list.

While writing about the beautiful colors of my land I could not ignore the social injustice that is so common in this region. It is hard to stay objective when you write about injustice in society. But I had to tell the world about things being done here. So I tried my best to do justice with those subjects.

I just completed my first month of writing on Medium and I am happy to share that it did me good. I feel like I have done my duty to my motherland, its history, and its inhabitants.

When you feel like you don’t have a topic to write about, just look around you. Tell us about the singular beauties of your land and society. Believe me, the world wants to know.

Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta traveled to see Asia because they did not have any other way of knowing about this exotic land. They did not have Medium. Just imagine the curiosity of those who want to know but cannot travel. They have internet and you have internet. What can be better than getting paid and feeling proud of your roots at the same time?

Talk about someone who doesn’t have his own voice. Tell the story of those who cannot reach out to the world. In between all this, you might find your perfect piece of fiction too. A story you wanted to write all along.

Best of luck to all the new writers and my most humble thanks to everyone out there who liked my work.