Comments on: How To Rev Up Your Idea Engine http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/ Sports News - Tech Reviews - Entertainment - Life Tips for EveryJoe Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:20:14 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jenny Cromie http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346084 Jenny Cromie Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:26:09 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346084 Kari, I like the idea of collecting images and articles as story ideas. I do the same thing when I read an interesting article, but I confess I've never thought to do that with images. Thanks for dropping by! Kari, I like the idea of collecting images and articles as story ideas. I do the same thing when I read an interesting article, but I confess I’ve never thought to do that with images.

Thanks for dropping by!

]]> By: Jenny Cromie http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346083 Jenny Cromie Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:45:29 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346083 Julie, I love your ideas! I'll have to check out those cards—this is the first time I've heard of those. And your first idea is really good too. Thank you for sharing these! Michelle, thanks for the feedback! Your opinion means a lot. I like your idea about asking that additional question during interviews. I sometimes do that as well, but don't always remember—especially when I'm on deadline! Thanks too for leaving the URL to that post. I'll take a look. :-) -Jenny Julie, I love your ideas! I’ll have to check out those cards—this is the first time I’ve heard of those. And your first idea is really good too. Thank you for sharing these!

Michelle, thanks for the feedback! Your opinion means a lot. I like your idea about asking that additional question during interviews. I sometimes do that as well, but don’t always remember—especially when I’m on deadline!

Thanks too for leaving the URL to that post. I’ll take a look. :-)

-Jenny

]]> By: Kari Wolfe http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346082 Kari Wolfe Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:44:55 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346082 My thoughts: Clustering: writing down a word and then brainstorming around that word. Collect: I collect interesting (to me, anyway) images and articles (printing out the articles and saving the images). Gives me something to go toward when I can't think of anything. My thoughts:

Clustering: writing down a word and then brainstorming around that word.

Collect: I collect interesting (to me, anyway) images and articles (printing out the articles and saving the images). Gives me something to go toward when I can’t think of anything.

]]> By: Michelle Rafter http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346081 Michelle Rafter Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:07:39 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346081 Jennie: I quite often tack on one or two random questions at the end of an interview to find out what else my source has going on, is thinking about, has heard at a conference or meeting. Many times those questions can lead to stories that I can pitch to one of my regular clients. I wrote about this in a recent post for my own freelance writing blog: http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/10-great-places-writers-can-find-story-ideas/ BTW, you're doing a great job on TGP. Michelle Rafter WordCount Jennie:

I quite often tack on one or two random questions at the end of an interview to find out what else my source has going on, is thinking about, has heard at a conference or meeting. Many times those questions can lead to stories that I can pitch to one of my regular clients. I wrote about this in a recent post for my own freelance writing blog:

http://michellerafter.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/10-great-places-writers-can-find-story-ideas/

BTW, you’re doing a great job on TGP.

Michelle Rafter
WordCount

]]> By: Julie Isaac http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346080 Julie Isaac Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:59:41 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346080 Great article. Thanks. Here are some of my idea generators and brainstorming tools: * For 24 hours write down everything you do, think, feel, get angry at, are scared of, or worry about. These can be very short and quick notes. “Hit snooze button too many times. Was running late. Threw quick breakfast together for the family. Took Melinda to school. Saw a boy walk past M that looked like a gang member, made my heart pound in my chest. The files on my desk just keep growing at an alarming rate, like mold.” Etc. Then the next day, take your list and start brainstorming article ideas: Quick breakfast ideas for the busy mom. How to talk to your kids about gangs. How to organize the mountain of paperwork that’s taking over your desk. * Use an inspirational card deck, like Roger von Oech’s Creative Whack Pack, which has cards that ask you to exaggerate, challenge the rules, and look to the past, and start brainstorming. Or Daniel Leven’s Zen cards, which have words like courage, wisdom, and balance on them. * Google your topic and see what ideas and articles come up. Go to the images page and start brainstorming. Julie Isaac http://www.WritingSpirit.com Great article. Thanks.

Here are some of my idea generators and brainstorming tools:

* For 24 hours write down everything you do, think, feel, get angry at, are scared of, or worry about. These can be very short and quick notes. “Hit snooze button too many times. Was running late. Threw quick breakfast together for the family. Took Melinda to school. Saw a boy walk past M that looked like a gang member, made my heart pound in my chest. The files on my desk just keep growing at an alarming rate, like mold.” Etc. Then the next day, take your list and start brainstorming article ideas: Quick breakfast ideas for the busy mom. How to talk to your kids about gangs. How to organize the mountain of paperwork that’s taking over your desk.

* Use an inspirational card deck, like Roger von Oech’s Creative Whack Pack, which has cards that ask you to exaggerate, challenge the rules, and look to the past, and start brainstorming. Or Daniel Leven’s Zen cards, which have words like courage, wisdom, and balance on them.

* Google your topic and see what ideas and articles come up. Go to the images page and start brainstorming.

Julie Isaac
http://www.WritingSpirit.com

]]> By: Jenny Cromie http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346078 Jenny Cromie Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:59:45 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346078 Hi Sharon! Thanks for coming back and for the nice feedback. The reason I'm working on this site is to help other people, so it makes me happy that what I'm doing is actually helping other freelancers. No need to feel ashamed about your blogging questions at all! I'll be more than happy to address your questions about the business of blogging in a couple of post next week. You're asking some great questions, Sharon, so please keep them coming! I am sure other people have the same questions as well, so I'll be sure to tackle this topic for you and others who are curious about blogging as well. Best, Jenny Hi Sharon! Thanks for coming back and for the nice feedback. The reason I’m working on this site is to help other people, so it makes me happy that what I’m doing is actually helping other freelancers.

No need to feel ashamed about your blogging questions at all! I’ll be more than happy to address your questions about the business of blogging in a couple of post next week.

You’re asking some great questions, Sharon, so please keep them coming! I am sure other people have the same questions as well, so I’ll be sure to tackle this topic for you and others who are curious about blogging as well.

Best,

Jenny

]]> By: Sharon Hazard http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346079 Sharon Hazard Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:04 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346079 Dear Jenny: I just found your site and I really love it. It gives practical advice and lots of great feedback. Thank you for mentioning me and my response to your blog on The Muse. Given the warm and friendly atmosphere of this site, I am going to admit something that I really feel ashamed about, as a freelance writer, a published author and a member of ASJA as well as a citizen of the 21st century. I keep hearing the verb "blogging" and I must admit....I have never blogged. Or am I doing it now without realizing it. And how in the heck does one get paid for blogging. Can you help me get up to speed. thanks again, Sharon Hazard Dear Jenny:
I just found your site and I really love it. It gives practical advice and lots of great feedback. Thank you for mentioning me and my response to your blog on The Muse. Given the warm and friendly atmosphere of this site, I am going to admit something that I really feel ashamed about, as a freelance writer, a published author and a member of ASJA as well as a citizen of the 21st century. I keep hearing the verb “blogging” and I must admit….I have never blogged. Or am I doing it now without realizing it. And how in the heck does one get paid for blogging. Can you help me get up to speed.
thanks again,
Sharon Hazard

]]> By: Jenny Cromie http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346077 Jenny Cromie Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:41:45 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346077 Thank you everyone for stopping by and for your feedback! Please keep coming back, and let me know of other topics you might find useful as well. Amanda, I love your Google Adwords Keyword tool idea—now that's a tip I'm going to use! Excellent idea! Thank you everyone for stopping by and for your feedback! Please keep coming back, and let me know of other topics you might find useful as well.

Amanda, I love your Google Adwords Keyword tool idea—now that’s a tip I’m going to use! Excellent idea!

]]> By: Tara @ Feels like home http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346076 Tara @ Feels like home Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:01:52 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346076 Thanks for some great tips! Writer's block happens to the best of us. :) Thanks for some great tips! Writer’s block happens to the best of us. :)

]]> By: Ross http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine-15/comment-page-1/#comment-346075 Ross Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:45:02 +0000 http://www.thegoldenpencil.com/2008/11/20/how-to-rev-up-your-idea-engine/#comment-346075 I like the idea on "what are people talking about / interested in" - sounds like a good tip to me... Cheers I like the idea on “what are people talking about / interested in” – sounds like a good tip to me… Cheers

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