| I have a challenge. A challenge to write 100 | | | | Writeroom is a Mac application (there are |
| articles in 100 days. It sounds simple. 1 article a | | | | windows alternatives) that provides a distraction |
| day doesn't seem all that demanding does it? No, | | | | free writing environment. Basically, it blacks out |
| almost anybody should be able to churn out a | | | | the screen and removes all distractions. You won't |
| few hundred words with no trouble. The difficulty | | | | get alerts popping up at you, and there is nothing |
| comes when you try and comprehend 100 | | | | to click. You simply write. If I ever get stuck |
| different article ideas. | | | | writing an article, I switch over to writeroom |
| So how will I come up with 100 different article | | | | (from Google docs). Often I will sit just starting at |
| ideas? These are my techniques I use when I'm | | | | the black screen. But eventually, the lack of |
| feeling content challenged. Hopefully these ideas | | | | options to procrastinate kicks my brain into action |
| will inspire you to create content. | | | | and words start flowing. |
| Read, Read and Read. | | | | Keep a Spreadsheet of Ideas |
| The first part of your article writing quest will be | | | | A spreadsheet is a great place to list possible |
| to find inspiration. | | | | article ideas. I transfer ideas from my notepad |
| The best article ideas of mine don't come about | | | | into the spreadsheet so I have a permanent |
| when I'm trying to think about article ideas. | | | | reservoir of ideas. I use Google Spreadsheet so I |
| Instead, the usually pop into my head, mostly | | | | have access to the idea reservoir no matter |
| when I'm reading other peoples content. So my | | | | where I am. |
| first stop when coming up with a list of ideas, is | | | | Sometimes its a good idea to hold a brainstorming |
| to head over to my RSS reader and pick out | | | | session to fill up your reservoir with possible |
| some good articles to read. I don't just skim over | | | | article concepts. Get yourself a whiteboard and |
| these posts, I read them and reflect. I think its | | | | just put ideas down. Remember with |
| important to really read an article when trying to | | | | brainstorming there are no right or wrong |
| find inspiration. Often an idea will pop into your | | | | answers. Start with some broad ideas and then |
| head midway through the post, so keep a | | | | refine them. |
| notepad handy where you can scribble down | | | | Use Speech to Text |
| ideas. This leads into my next point.. | | | | If you're really stuck and unable to put words on |
| Keep a Notepad. | | | | paper, then here's a very effective way to |
| When working, I have constant access to a | | | | generate content. Use a speech to text program. |
| notepad and pencil. I use a notepad to jot down | | | | This will allow you to talk and have your speech |
| ideas, scribble notes and draw sketches. Often, | | | | transcribed automatically into text. The trick with |
| these notes are useless, but many a scribble has | | | | using this, is to not worry about grammar or |
| formed the basis of an article. Get into the good | | | | proper sentences. Just start speaking. You can |
| habit of keeping notes. Don't try and store | | | | then use this very rough draft as a basis of your |
| everything in your head. Getting ideas down on | | | | article. |
| paper will really help your creativity. | | | | So there you have it. Some simple strategies you |
| Unlike a digital medium, notepads allow you to be | | | | can borrow to start generating the much needed |
| creative with your notetaking. There are no rules. | | | | content. |
| Use Writeroom. | | | | |