Note 325 – Eight other sources of information for writing tips

Information (Photo credit: heathbrandon on Flickr)

Following on from Note 323 – Eight writing books as a source of information and Note 324 – Eight online sources of information + useful tips, I’m going to list eight other sources of information that I might choose to use for my writing tips:

1. Work colleagues.  Now and again I write a blog post based on someone’s request in the office. It could be anything from a commonly misspelt word to a phrase or saying.
2. Family. Occasionally I might get a comment from a member of my family suggesting a post, or they might ask me in general how my blog is going and in that conversation I could be inspired to write several new posts.
3. Readers.  I do get a few requests from readers (sometimes fellow bloggers) asking if I have covered a certain topic.  This is great for me as it feels like I am truly tailoring my posts to my audience (so the more the better as far as I am concerned).
4. Writing magazines.  In particular, I use Writing Magazine now and again as a source of reference.  It’s packed with useful tips and information – but I have a feeling that I’ve missed loads of ideas as I haven’t opened the last few copies….Oops!
5. Other magazines.  Magazines such as Psychologies and Prima magazines (they’re piling up on the side too!) are packed with inspirational articles.  When I do get a chance to read them, I usually find something to write about, whether it be a title, a word, or just a website address that leads me up a different path finding other writers.
6. TV.  Occasionally I look up words that I hear on the TV or hear a phrase that might be worth looking into.  Once whilst watching a film, I felt inspired to write Note 288 – Do you get writing ideas from watching films?.
7. Weddings (and other outings).  I was at a wedding last year and the order of service had a word in it that no one around me knew the meaning of.  It was great that it popped up at that point in time, as I was stuck for a post that day.  After a quick check on my iphone for its definition (after the service of course) I wrote a blog Note 189 The meaning of Arrhae on my iphone on the way to the reception (sad, I know…but couldn’t miss a day of my writing challenge could I?).
8. Thoughts (after letting the mind rest).  Anyone who has been following my blog for a while will have worked out that I don’t rest very often (although I am working on it!); however, I’ve noticed that if I do take a day out (or even just an afternoon) to let my mind rest, my head is packed full of ideas at the end of it.  I sometimes don’t know where the ideas come from, and they come out great speed! Thankfully I can write and type fast! 

That concludes the 3 day series of ‘sources of information’; however, I’m sure there are many more than the 24 that I’ve mentioned. Please leave a comment if you have any other ways of sourcing information for your blog.  Thank you.

Until tomorrow…

Sandra
www.sandramadeira.com

Related articles

• Note 323 – Eight writing books as a source of information (mywritingnotebook.com)
• Note 324 – Eight online sources of information + useful tips (mywritingnotebook.com)