Information and ideas have to be a central focus to any writer. After all, a whole book (fact, fiction or otherwise) can be written around one single idea or fact, as can any other kind of writing. It stands to reason, then, that writers have to be constantly aware of new thoughts and possibilities.

For example, without searching, I have learned over the last few days that:

• An official study has been done in the US that states mothers (of all ages) have at least 30 hours of leisure. ~ In my opinion their definition of leisure needs reconsidering.
• One out of every three watchers of porn and erotica are women. ~ Worth considering if you’re thinking of writing for this market.
• A lack of zinc can cause acne and other skin conditions. ~ Did I hear somebody say, ‘Give me back my chocolate, I’ll take the zinc supplements’?
• You don’t need a ticket to travel on the last train out of Perth each night or should that be early morning. ~ I think this is such a great idea, on many levels.

And that is just off the top of my head.

But where would you use these ideas? I hear you ask.

The list of ways you, as a writer, can use snippets of information is endless. But just to get you started:

• journal writing themes
• ‘what if’ questions
• adding extra depth to your story
• a current article topic
• a new angle on an old topic
• a thread to weave through a story
• a hidden component to a character

The piece of information may not be of use now, but you never know when it may be the vital part of your plotting jigsaw. So don’t rely on your memory; make sure you write each idea down, even if it only seems like useless information now.

If you have a few moments now:

Consider the top list and the ‘possible uses’ list.  When you combine them, do they spark any ideas for writing projects?

Tags: A Writer's Life, writers, writing, writing exercise, Writing Tips

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