What should I write about?

This questions comes up often when we are at events with a mass market audience

I am not sure why this question is on my mind today but since it is I thought I would share of few thoughts.

Most writers, especially children’s and non-fiction writers, write about what they know or at least about something they are interested in or have experienced.

Fiction writers usually have characters or stories in their head that they have to get out. Many of these writers have had these stories in their heads for years and they can no longer keep them from moving from their head to paper or phone/tablet/computer.

So if you are just starting as a writer or just have the dream of writing one day. That day is today. Don’t wait. Start today! Find an hour or two or half day or full day and sit down and start writing.

If fiction, maybe it is a scene or a conversation, possibly a place or a person engaged in some activity. Describe it, him or her in as much detail as you can. Who are the characters in the story, what are their names, the occupations, their personalities or behaviors. What issue are they facing or are they going to go through or experience during the arc of the story or their individual journey?

If non-fiction start with an outline or table of contents. What are the 3, 5, 7 or 10 big ideas, steps, keys, processes or actions that support the story you are telling, personal experience or professional.

Get a writing notebook or start a folder on your computer and just start getting ideas down on paper or electronically. Just write and as you write more will flow from you brain to your fingers. There may be times when things don’t flow but don’t get frustrated, just take a break and come back to it later or the next day or two.

AUDIENCE

In the meantime, spend some time understanding who your audience is and what do they want to know or learn. What problem do they have that you can help solve? What is their demographic or psychographic profile? Maybe they just want to be entertained or taken to a place outside their every day life or experience. Any of these goals are valid and worthwhile. This investigation might also spark some new thought when you go back to writing.

Remember writing is a process and often it takes time to get it all down or out of your head. Be patient with yourself. Once you have a reasonable start or even a finished piece then worry about editing or showing it to a trusted friend, mentor or supporter.

I am happy to answer any questions just email authoradventure@gmail.com or message me on social.

Here’s to your writing success, Liz