Have these habits in place so your idea well doesn’t run dry

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During my first writers’ workshop, my instructor told the class to freewrite for ten minutes about a topic of our choice. The timer began and my colleagues began scribbling furiously in their notebooks. I, being new to freewriting, opened my laptop and dutifully typed two sentences, only to go back and rewrite both, trying to perfect them.

Ten minutes later I had three mediocre sentences, whereas my colleagues had pages of words and tons of ideas. I know this because we went around the room and read aloud what we had written. When my turn came, I had very little to say.

I missed the point of freewriting that day, but I learned a valuable lesson that’s stuck with me. Freewriting isn’t about consciously producing finely-crafted prose in a set amount of time. Rather, it’s an informal type of writing that aims to “move from conscious…to subconscious.” People use freewriting for different reasons, but I use it as a brainstorming technique to generate ideas for most articles I write, including this one.

Freewriting is the first step in my writing process. I decide on a topic and begin writing, using pen and paper. Many people suggest setting a time limit, but I freewrite until I have nothing more to say. Sometimes it only takes ten minutes, but it’s usually twenty or thirty minutes. When I’m done, I have tons of ideas. Sometimes I freewrite during the editing process, too, as I did with this article when I hit a roadblock and needed more ideas. Although freewriting adds time to my writing process initially, it pays significant dividends in the long run.

After quickly reaping the benefits of this practice, I began experimenting with other strategies to generate ideas. And that’s what this post is all about: how you, as a writer, can generate more ideas.

1. Use a creativity journal

Creativity can strike anytime and anywhere. That’s why I carry a red Moleskine notebook with me, which I dub my “creativity journal.” I use it to jot down ideas, record observations, and note concepts that I need to research further. For example, a speaker at a recent lecture made an interesting comment. So I noted the comment, the speaker’s name, and the date in my notebook. I refer to my notes when I need a new idea for an article or information to support an argument.

I keep my creativity journal with me most of the time for two reasons. First, I can easily capture creative insights when they occur, like when I’m running an errand. Second, seeing the notebook is a subtle reminder to use it. I try to write in it at least once per day because the more I use it, the more ideas that inevitably develop. On the rare occasion that I don’t have my journal with me, I use the “Notes” app on my phone and transfer the ideas to my journal later on.

2. Be a lifelong learner

Prioritize learning and make it a daily habit. It’s one of the best ways to generate ideas and make cross-disciplinary connections.

Learning today is more convenient than ever. I watch or listen to lectures on The Great Courses to boost my knowledge on a range of topics, from ancient western civilizations to psychology to the history of Japan. I use their app and download lectures, which are about 30 minutes each, and listen to them while I’m on the go. I also download lectures from Lynda.com and audiobooks from the library for the same reason.

Joining groups on Meetup.com is yet another way to learn. Through the Meetup groups I belong to, I’ve attended interesting lectures on contemporary art, artificial intelligence, writing, virtual reality, and wearables. Some people also find massive open online courses (MOOCs) beneficial. Although the quality of these courses can range, MOOCs are just one more convenient way to learn today.

3. Discuss ideas

When I was growing up, family dinners involved lively discussions on a range of topics. Even today, dinner conversations run the gamut: technology, education, travel, and current events, among others. These topics usually come up in response to a book, article, or lecture consumed during the day. Since all of us consume information each day, it’s worthwhile to talk about what you’ve learned or how you agree or disagree with what was said in an article or podcast.

Exchanging knowledge and opinions with others can result in new perspectives and ideas. This is exactly what happened when I met a friend for lunch last week. We were discussing workplace productivity, and her reaction to one of my blog posts gave me a new idea for a future article. She also recommended a book, which may also spark new ideas once I read it.

4. Ask questions

It seems simple, and it is: ask a lot of questions.

I’ve always been known to ask a lot of questions, but my inquisitiveness increased when I began studying art history in school. I found myself constantly asking “why” and “what if” in order to understand an artwork. Why did Andy Warhol paint Campbell Soup cans? What if I approach Donald Judd’s large, aluminum and plexiglass cube from another angle? What changes?

By asking questions, about art or in life, I’m not taking something at surface value. Instead, I’m considering it from other perspectives, which can generate new ideas and cross-disciplinary relationships. Asking questions was essential as an art history student, and it’s been invaluable to my work as a writer.

The above suggestions are starting points for habits that can generate results over time. My first few times freewriting weren’t successful, for example, but now this practice is hugely beneficial. Similarly, I ask better questions now than I did a few years ago. So instead of looking for a quick fix, try incorporating sustainable methods that can yield better and richer ideas for the long term.

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