What a great article. I've found recently that there are exponentially diminishing returns the longer I stare at the screen and try to force an idea out. Something as simple as going for a walk or meditating helps clear my head and allows new ideas to float to the surface. Or, as Klaas mentions, engaging in some sort of alternate creative medium (even ones I'm terrible at, like drawing or playing the piano). Also, I too find myself worried that I'm simply hashing out ideas that have already been exhausted. But each of us is inherently unique, and we can always provide something fresh to the discourse.
For me, if you want to write - you must read! And read with intention and motivation. Be an inveterate note-taker - these notes can be used as the basis of a piece, or even just a sentence or paragraph in a piece.
Need ideas? Just summarise and respond to someone else's - and you will have your own. Many of my stacks are written directly out of the reading I do for academic purposes - but the trick is generalise, free associate a bit - personalise - bring your own pov.
And then you must turn up, and work - commit to a schedule, and stick to it... easier said than done, but it can be done.
This is excellent, straightforward advice. I tend to write just like this: I do not like to offer a conclusion to my readers, so much as raise questions.
By writing every day, I get to explore some of these concepts- trying out a slightly different voice, or collaborating with another author here on Substack (or from somewhere else), or even playing with different styles of images to support the work.
Having a pile of "gathered flowers" I can pick from every day is the key.
Love the term intellectual proving ground. Walking always stimulates new ideas. When inspiration strikes, I put a few phrases on a to do list and eventually they turn into a post. Thank you to Substack for protecting free speech, where we can all share ideas openly. Magic!
Dear Brian, I loved your article about obtaining writing ideas. It hits the nail on the head by stating that writers are thieves and new ideas are actually old ideas. I especially loved:
"Writing, then, is like learning to be a sponge that never gets wrung out, always observing, absorbing, thinking."
So here I sit, spongelike, listening and watching.
When I write Wine Wanderings, I try to keep generational interests and tastes in mind. Where would a Millennial like to go in Bordeaux? What accommodations should I make for Baby Boomers traveling in Barcelona or Napa Valley? Sometimes that generates a new idea for content, like visiting the secret Passages in Paris- appealing to many ages. How are other Substack writers featuring twists in generational interest? Thank you, Substack...it's been a great 2 1/2 year ride so far.
I remember the words of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), who wrote: “I have gathered a posy of other men’s flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is mine own.”
Being a voracious reader and curating with intentionality are the formula to finding and employing ideas for writing. Reading is the first and most important step for writing. Read widely. Read with curiosity. Read to connect dots.
Very recognisable all this. The part about not focusing / doing 'nothing' allowing your mind to wander, process, and come up with creative ideas and solutions is something that we all could use a lot more of, away from the endless distractions that through endless stimulation lead us to thoughtlessness (if that sentence was a bit verbose, it's because I have been writing for my novel this afternoon, I'm still in that zone).
When it comes to 'new' ideas, yes you usually start out somewhere because you heard/read something, then along the way you make it your own, and then, as a writer you try to do something new with it. I think I'm partly lucky because my brain is naturally wired to combine different, seemingly unrelated things into new insights, but I think you can learn how to do it, and Brian confirms how helpful it can be.
Great article. Writing is an art and science. Similar to science, writing requires the writer to build off the ideas of others in order to create something totally new. As an art form, words strung together can become magic and change lives, hearts and souls.
This is just wonderful! "Writing, then, is like learning to be a sponge that never gets wrung out, always observing, absorbing, thinking." So many gems to mine here. Thank you for the reading and writing inspiration today, Brian!
What a great article. I've found recently that there are exponentially diminishing returns the longer I stare at the screen and try to force an idea out. Something as simple as going for a walk or meditating helps clear my head and allows new ideas to float to the surface. Or, as Klaas mentions, engaging in some sort of alternate creative medium (even ones I'm terrible at, like drawing or playing the piano). Also, I too find myself worried that I'm simply hashing out ideas that have already been exhausted. But each of us is inherently unique, and we can always provide something fresh to the discourse.
For me, if you want to write - you must read! And read with intention and motivation. Be an inveterate note-taker - these notes can be used as the basis of a piece, or even just a sentence or paragraph in a piece.
Need ideas? Just summarise and respond to someone else's - and you will have your own. Many of my stacks are written directly out of the reading I do for academic purposes - but the trick is generalise, free associate a bit - personalise - bring your own pov.
And then you must turn up, and work - commit to a schedule, and stick to it... easier said than done, but it can be done.
This is excellent, straightforward advice. I tend to write just like this: I do not like to offer a conclusion to my readers, so much as raise questions.
By writing every day, I get to explore some of these concepts- trying out a slightly different voice, or collaborating with another author here on Substack (or from somewhere else), or even playing with different styles of images to support the work.
Having a pile of "gathered flowers" I can pick from every day is the key.
Love the term intellectual proving ground. Walking always stimulates new ideas. When inspiration strikes, I put a few phrases on a to do list and eventually they turn into a post. Thank you to Substack for protecting free speech, where we can all share ideas openly. Magic!
"Nobody wants a mixtape full of songs from the same band"
Uh, yeah they do. It's called a greatest hits album and is usually a musical artist's highest selling perennial release.
I've been writing stuff for years but still found this really, really helpful. Thank you.
Dear Brian, I loved your article about obtaining writing ideas. It hits the nail on the head by stating that writers are thieves and new ideas are actually old ideas. I especially loved:
"Writing, then, is like learning to be a sponge that never gets wrung out, always observing, absorbing, thinking."
So here I sit, spongelike, listening and watching.
I concur! And love the lightness in your style and robustness of your argument. You have acquired a new reader 😉
When I write Wine Wanderings, I try to keep generational interests and tastes in mind. Where would a Millennial like to go in Bordeaux? What accommodations should I make for Baby Boomers traveling in Barcelona or Napa Valley? Sometimes that generates a new idea for content, like visiting the secret Passages in Paris- appealing to many ages. How are other Substack writers featuring twists in generational interest? Thank you, Substack...it's been a great 2 1/2 year ride so far.
Thanks for this article; hopefully, the lives of countless rabbits are spared.
I remember the words of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), who wrote: “I have gathered a posy of other men’s flowers, and nothing but the thread that binds them is mine own.”
Being a voracious reader and curating with intentionality are the formula to finding and employing ideas for writing. Reading is the first and most important step for writing. Read widely. Read with curiosity. Read to connect dots.
More about this: https://www.timelesstimely.com/p/leaders-are-readers
Dear Brian Klaas, Thank you so much for your generosity to provide insight for us to better seize our own creativity!
Very recognisable all this. The part about not focusing / doing 'nothing' allowing your mind to wander, process, and come up with creative ideas and solutions is something that we all could use a lot more of, away from the endless distractions that through endless stimulation lead us to thoughtlessness (if that sentence was a bit verbose, it's because I have been writing for my novel this afternoon, I'm still in that zone).
When it comes to 'new' ideas, yes you usually start out somewhere because you heard/read something, then along the way you make it your own, and then, as a writer you try to do something new with it. I think I'm partly lucky because my brain is naturally wired to combine different, seemingly unrelated things into new insights, but I think you can learn how to do it, and Brian confirms how helpful it can be.
Great article. Writing is an art and science. Similar to science, writing requires the writer to build off the ideas of others in order to create something totally new. As an art form, words strung together can become magic and change lives, hearts and souls.
Love this, thank you.
This is just wonderful! "Writing, then, is like learning to be a sponge that never gets wrung out, always observing, absorbing, thinking." So many gems to mine here. Thank you for the reading and writing inspiration today, Brian!