The perpetual search for topics to write about
I just read “Stop Worrying, Just Write!”From Adrian CDTPPW…. It really hit home, I started writing almost 4 years ago, during the pandemic, but unfortunately, I haven’t really stuck with it.
Being a new writer, the biggest struggle I face is what to write about…. Where to find inspiration, how to tell a story that feels engaging and exciting. Something that won’t fade away in the vastness of dusty drafts, and actually feels worthy of publishing. Do you know what I mean? Incessantly stalled by the topic, what to write consumes all of the time that should be spent writing. Searching, waiting, and hoping for inspiration to come, to find something daring, interesting, and worthy… In the end, instead of spending time writing, time is wasted in this search for the perfect topic.
According to Adrian that may be the issue…. Always trying to find great topics will not produce consistent content. As a new writer consistency is what’s necessary to hone your skills. Practice writing; more writing, and even more writing, until it becomes as natural as breathing.
So here it is, Day 1 of my consistent writing journey. I’m committed to writing something daily! I’ll write about the mundane, the everyday stuff. With no concrete topic at all, I’ll just write. I’ll find something in the monotony of daily life, and try to convey it with some interest. I’ll focus on the words, give you a glimpse into my world, I’ll try my best to turn the mundane into something worthy of reading.
Today (said day 1) is Sunday, and currently it’s 5:30am…. Yes I’m one of those people, I’m plagued with a “waking up early gene.” Based on my schedule, you’d think I’m a tenacious runner, or dedicated writer, or a determined anything at all…. But in truth, I normally get up bright and early to do nothing…. But not today! Today I am drinking coffee and writing an article about writing an article on Sunday morning. Oh the irony! But could this be my topic for the day? What would be better to write about than writing, or the struggle of what to write.
Clearly, in the process of dwelling over my writer’s block I’ve actually written something; Furthermore, I think I know exactly what I’m writing about tomorrow, for Day 2.
If you’ve made it this far let me just say this: all of the articles I’ve read thus far about being a new write haven’t helped the writers block at all. Until “stop worrying just write” the advice out there consists of uniformity, finding a niche, engaging the audience, solving a problem, etc… none of that is any good if you’re not writing. Just write!
Thank you Adrian, I will make attempts at finding ways to see each day as unique, and if at the end of the day I don’t succeed, I can write about the attempts I’ve made. Or I could just write about a day in my life and see where the topic takes me.
If you’re a new writer, like me, I hope you’ll join me on this journey of unpacking our day, finding change and excitement in the mundane, honing our craft together, finding topics in the most unlikely of places: day to day life.
