12 non-obvious places to source outstanding writing ideas

For those of you who know me, you'll know I'm big on consistency.

I can't stop banging on about it sometimes.

Consistency opens doors and develops your skills.

However, consistency is fueled by generating new ideas day after day, and this isn't always easy.

They can often be found in unexpected places.

Here are 12 non-obvious ways to source ideas to help you break free of your usual patterns and keep your creativity flowing:

1. Steal other writers' successful posts.

Browse successful posts by writers you admire and whose posts did well and connected with you.

Identify the components that resonate with you, whether it's a fascinating title, engaging voice, or compelling main idea.

Unapologetically use it, but apply your take or twist. Proven material like this is gold.

2. Scroll through old photos on your phone.

I always chuckled at those who incessantly take pictures of everything.

When would they ever use them?

But I still make a point of regularly snapping, especially when things get interesting.

These pictures document my experiences and memories, making it easier for me to revisit them and spark new ideas for stories.

3. Look through your own most successful content.

Review your past work that's gotten the most attention.

Look at engagement levels. Likes, comments. What seemed to strike a chord? What common themes or topics did you touch on? Consider diving deeper into those topics or taking a new angle.

By focusing on what already connects with your audience, you can extrapolate new ideas or re-use old, proven ideas in fresh ways.

4. Choose two random ideas and work within those constraints.

Pick two seemingly unrelated ideas, like 'productivity' and 'travel,' and challenge yourself to combine them in one piece.

Or maybe take a film you watched recently and borrow an idea that grabbed you from there, and write about that. Many of us get stuck because we're overwhelmed by too many options.

However, creativity thrives in limited spaces and through the use of unique combinations.

5. Listen to podcasts outside your niche.

Listen to podcasts or audiobooks that discuss topics unrelated to your usual content, like philosophy, science, or storytelling.

The conversations you hear may trigger new insights for your own writing.

Expanding your auditory landscape helps you draw inspiration from diverse perspectives, which in turn triggers new thinking.

6. Go people watching.

Head to a café, park, or public space and make like a (non) creepy observer of others around you.

Watch their body language, interactions, and the stories they may tell without words. Real-life moments often reveal insights into human behaviour that can be the foundation for interesting writing.

Suddenly, the world around you comes alive because you no longer see it as 'noise,' but rather as inspiration.

7. Read the comments section of popular posts.

Take a dive into the comments section of articles, Quora posts, or videos that are popular in your niche.

Look for questions or ideas that spark your curiosity and could be developed into a blog post or article. Comments often hold the unsaid, what readers are confused about or want to know more about.

These can be a goldmine for creating new content that answers their needs.

8. Flip through old journals or notebooks.

Revisit your old journals, notes, or even sketches.

There may be unfinished thoughts, fragments of stories, or questions that you once dismissed but could now develop further.

Your past self has already been brainstorming, and revisiting these old ideas can help trigger new ideas that may have never been recovered.

9. Break the pattern.

Gurus espouse the need for routine, but often routine can be a significant block to growth.

Occasionally, throw a wrench in. Go for a walk during your usual work hours. Take a different route. Go somewhere new.

Break expectations for yourself sometimes, and you might find you open a can of ideas sitting on the back shelf of your mind.

10. Engage with your audience directly.

Talk to your readers on social media, through emails, surveys or ask via forums.

DM just one person from your newsletter and go deeper with them. Tell them you're looking for new ideas.

You could write a new post based on one new person's expressed problems for each day of the week.

11. Experiment with different content formats.

I'm talking to myself here because I often slip into a familiar groove and then wonder why I've lost motivation.

Try writing content in different formats, such as a listicle, Q&A, how-to, infographic, or story format. The change in structure (or even the medium, like audio or video) can trigger new ideas that wouldn't come through traditional writing methods.

Changing the way you present your ideas can open up new pathways for creativity and make the process feel fresh.

12. Experiment with speed and impromptu creation.

Not everything you write needs careful planning and deep research.

Your best ideas are lurking in the dark recesses of your mind twiddling thumbs, waiting to be grabbed by the cheeks. Much of creative block involves not giving ourselves permission to let go and spit out whatever comes up.

We get stuck because we fear making mistakes, which makes us uptight.

What if you gave yourself ten minutes to write an article?

Remember, you can always edit later.

Writing ideas don't always come from the same, rehashed places.

By tapping into these non-obvious places, you can consistently uncover new, unique angles that resonate with your readers.

If you’d like to defy your doubts, amplify a sense of meaning in your life, and write without words that people love...

You’ll want to grab my expensive-for-a-reason course on writing that grows your movement: Online Writing Alchemy.

Available today, at this price, before I raise it, which I will eventually.

Learn more about it here.

Alex