How to Get Ideas to Write About From Unusual Sources

Many online content writers tend to look at sites like Google Trends or Yahoo Popular Searches to get their daily material to write about. This is great for it can actually boost page views and bring incoming cash for the writer of the articles. But for the writer who wants to look elsewhere for ideas to write about where there is a dearth of online information (it was like this back in 1997 when the Internet was still fairly new to the public), there are other sources that are readily available at hand and can be utilized into an article that will gain page views.

Most people own a reference book or set of books like an encyclopedia in their living room. Just flipping through one volume and seeing pictures along with informative text can actually give one ideas to write about for an article. Even a unique reference set like the New Wonder World (published in 1941) provides a wealth of information that can provide the basis of a well written article. At first glance, the information may appear to be outdated, but provides a perspective on social and human history during the time something existed or occurred.

For example, an encyclopedia entry on the jacaranda tree will provide the genus, native growth areas, among other tidbits of information. Add to that information a how-to guide on growing and caring for the tree can be something a Floridian might look up to discover what kind of tree that is in their backyard that grows lovely pale blue-lavender flowers.

Other reference books that can be used are almanacs, atlases, and that ever-popular series known as the Book of Lists. Obscure information of human interest always makes for good reading on the Internet. So the next time you want to sit down and write but don’t have a clue what to write about, open up one of those books gathering dust on your shelves.