What Can We Write About Today?
Folks do lots of interesting things these days. Write about some of them that interest you.
Do you write? Would you, if you could find something interesting to write about? Try these ideas.
Recently I talked with a good Samaritan at the end of her 40-year project. Some 40 years ago she approached a foundation for a grant to provide free English language classes for local people who needed to learn English. By using the one time grant carefully, her project gave those folks childcare while they attended a weekly evening class for 90 minutes of that essential learning which has made such a difference for so many people over those 40 years.
Could you do an interview, take her photo, ask about unusual experiences over that span of years, and post it online, or see it placed in your local paper? Sure you could.
Active communities revolve around such people with special skills, special projects and interests. Let's list a few you might find just waiting for someone to write about them:
Visit an assisted living facility, you can brighten someone's day, stir up some memories, and find a story of interest.
The same can be said of interviewing personnel staffing a hospice facility, or anyone working the night shift at a local Emergency Room, some EMT's who respond when help is needed have a story to share which has touched them, a local minister may have more to his or her life than just preparing and delivering Sunday sermons. You get the idea.
In the accompanying photo, a cheer leading team was working out under the guidance of their young coach and were happy to be the subjects of the photo to illustrate an article on their truly dangerous sport.
A good friend and his wife are regulars at a local square dance club. While they are closer to my age, the club will continue because it has teenage members who have learned the calls and find the exercise wholesome and enjoyable. That may not be too rare, but most teenagers get some enjoyment from reading what those peers find so much fun about square dancing.
If you take a walk down Main Street in your town, you will find lots of stories waiting to be told about how long the business has been open, who started it, how has it changed over its long or short lifetime, what does the business offer that draws in repeat customers, etc.?
Local craftsmen, successful coaches, artists of all disciplines, instructors who teach others their skills, champions of any distinction from checkers to fencing, all these are fair game for a great article and good photos.
Acts of charity exist quietly in every community, but are praiseworthy and someone received that goodwill from some group or person who, as the organizer of the English classes did, went the extra mile to make a difference in another's life. Perhaps your local Red Cross Chapter knows of some instances that would lend themselves to such an article.
Did someone just get back from an unusual trip? Who always makes the best-loved dish for the local church dinners? What is the local bakery's best selling item?
Who is the longest-lived "Super Centenarian" in your community? Just ask them how things have changed in their lifetime, and then listen carefully.
Who has an unusual job? Who has an unusual pet, or hobby? Who scavenges yard sales to make a living from putting the items on ebay(R)? Do you have a local museum of interest?
Then, if all else fails to interest you, and it seems as if nobody has a notable story, just talk to a fisherman or a hunter about "the one that got away!"
Now add on your own ideas of a project that will interest you, and start photographing and writing.
_______
Copyright 2012 Demas W. Jasper All rights reserved.
Looking around for new material....
- Hub Creation: Write Where You Are (Traveling Not Required)
It is a rare town or city which doesn't have a subject for your next freelance article. Here are some good places to look for it.
More ideas?
- Choosing What To Write Today
What does a writer write about, and what triggers that decision? How can a writer facing what is called "writer's block" break down that obstacle and get on to writing their next sentence, paragraph, page, or article, book, or essay?
