Tips on What to Write About When You Don’t Know What to Write About
Don’t know what to write about? Here’s how to fix that.
Unless you’re my client telling me what to write and how to write it, most days these days feel like my topic ideas seem to be disappearing from my drawer.
I’ve been scratching my head, watching Buzzfeed Unsolved, and just waiting for the lightbulb, on the top of my head, to light up but it just isn’t happening.
Usually, I’d go out and walk around like one of the tips I wrote about in this article:
but with the Covid-19 pandemic, it seems like a not-so-smart idea.
If you’re still new to this, one tip I have is to write ideas as soon as you have them, whether on your phone, paper, etc.
This way, you won’t risk forgetting them and you can just look back when impulsive writing isn’t working for you.
Not knowing what to write about is a struggle for new and old writers alike. You’re not a bad writer for not having something to write about. Here are some writing inspirations from people like Jerry Seinfeld:
Quit scratching your head and thinking, ‘I don’t know what to write about’ and check out these simple tips to have an idea of what to write about.
Here’s where to get ideas on what to write about if you don’t know what to write about:
1. Write about bad experiences and struggles
Not to be a cliche sad writer but much of what I write here on my mini-blog revolves around my past experiences, especially things that had really troubled me.
That’s what draws me to write here anyway — the fact that I can write my feelings out and can potentially earn from it.
But that need not always be about your experiences. My recent article:
is about my recent acquaintance with a queer person and her coming out story.
Whenever I use other people’s experiences in my writing, I always try to ask them for permission as respect to them.
2. Watch TED Talks
There are only a few things that would make me feel more inspired and empowered than finishing a TED video on Youtube.
Go get inspired, be enveloped by that feeling and put it on paper.
3. Read or watch something you hate
Hate is a strong word but I’ve learned this trick from a writer I’ve met a few years back — she said:
“Just look at someone you hate and you’ll have a lot to say.”
She’s not wrong. Read or watch something insanely absurd, something that will enrage every single bone in your body and after that, believe me, you’ll have plenty to write about.
If you care about the environment, watch a video about deforestation. If you care about animals, watch an enraging document about them.
You get the drill.
4. Write about something you’re good at
Like cooking? Great! I personally need some cooking tips and I bet a lot of people do too.
You’re good at taking care of your cat? There are 8 billion people now, I bet there’s someone out there struggling with that.
It may not be your niche but write about it anyway. Creating something and putting it into the world is better than beating yourself up because you haven’t written anything at all.
5. Write about things you have no idea about
Been wanting to learn a new skill? Now is the time to learn! It’s just a bonus that you can write about it too as you move along.
This is actually how I learned about how to be a freelance writer in the first place:
I did my research and journaled along the way.
I truly believe that having nothing to write about is a myth, whether you agree or disagree, I’d like to know in the comments.
Still, there are plenty of ways to ignite a spark into our writing struggles we just have to be a little creative when we feel like we’re running out of ideas.
Or if we’re being honest here, maybe we’re just a little lazy:
When you don’t know what to write about, I hope you look at these tips and find something useful.
Keep writing!
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Check out some of my other stuff to help you in your writing career:
