As far as I know, there is no idea store. At least not as such.
Some freelance writers find that their biggest obstacle is coming up with ideas. My mother has an inquisitive mind. She’s curious about everything, and she passed that gene onto me, I guess. I come up with too many ideas some days. (Not all of them are good, but still.)
Because of my nature, when I go for a mammogram and someone gives me a rose, I thank them first and then ask why I’ve been given such a sweet gift.
From that recent question came an article I wrote that is just out over at Radiology Today. While I don’t always share everything I write so as not to overwhelm, here’s the story, if you’d like to take a look.
Writing this was engrossing, involving discussions with caring health professionals and a patient or two. And the editor was a dream to work with.
Ideas can come from anywhere. They can come from annoyances, from curiosity, from passions, from wondering, from lack of knowledge, from observation…there are endless sources of questions/ideas.
Pretend you’re a two-year-old and keep asking, “Why?” If you do, you’re halfway there. Of course ideas have to be refined and angled. That’s a whole course in itself!
Oh, and what did I mean by there isn’t an idea store “as such?” If you read publications and websites and identify a gap, well, that’s your signal to ask if they would like to have that gap filled. It’s called sending a pitch or a query. What they typically publish tells you more than anything what they’d like to see more of, or what they need that they don’t yet know they need. Sometimes you’ll get an enthusiastic response. Sometime you’ll hear nothing. Keep pitching.
Sure, there’s a world more to be said about this topic, but this will get you started. Happy idea hunting. Don’t forget to bring along paper and pen, or your phone if you prefer to record ideas.
Writers, where do you get your ideas? What inspires you? Readers, do you have a list of topics you wish writers would write about?
Thanks for stopping by. I value every page view.
XOXO,
Drema
dremadrudge.com 
Wonderful topic, Drema. Like you, I have more ideas than time to get them to paper. I say I have popcorn for brains. It goes off in all directions which is the same as going off the rails.Sounds, color, nature, gives me ideas, as does listening and watching people. At times, as I’m processing the world, a phrase surfaces that sticks and I explore it for awhile. Thank for returning to the blog and prodding us along a bit.
Oh can I relate, Bonnie, to the popcorn concept. Great image! That’s what it’s like sometimes — the melange of sensations that inspire.
I’m honored to have inspired someone as accomplished as you!