Keep track of ideas

I am astounded at how many posts I have seen where people comment on having an issue generating ideas to write about. Currently, I have approximately sixty ideas for articles. This ranges from different recipe ideas, activities, poetry, fiction, how to articles, etc. I would advise anyone who is having issues coming up with topics to buy a notepad of some sort and some pens you like. Personally, I have a "office supply fetish" - or so my wife tells me. I enjoy ink pens, notepads, note books, and miscellaneous things of this nature. That makes me very easy to shop for. And since I plan on writing until I am dead - it is something I doubt I will ever have too much of. The best way to never run out of topics to write on - is simply to keep track of what you have already thought of and keep building onto it. Write about anything and everything if it helps you come to a conclusion on a niche topic. I simply enjoy writing though.

An ink pen is very important to many writers. Some people prefer electronics - and possibly more efficient. But I like to use a pen and paper, I can carry them around at work, walking around, going to the park, etc. I use the Sharpie Fine Point Pen because it is easy to write with in a variety of situations. If I am sitting at a stop light, walking down the aisle of a store, at work, or any other place it is an easy pen to write with. I can write without having to stop and put my notepad down to create a little bit of pressure. And I use one page per idea, so if there is ever an issue with bleeding through - it doesn't really matter to me.

My personal favorite for an idea log is the Moleskin Pocket Ruled Notebook. I would probably do the blank sketch notepad if I could sketch at all. I end up writing one idea per page and I can add any details on the idea I have on that page. I generally just check the top corner of the page when I have completed the idea or written about it. I have found that many ideas generate other ideas. And the more I get into the practice of writing things down the more I remember. This is just a vicious cycle, you write ideas down and get more ideas, and since you wrote them you remember them. The biggest part of this was simply carrying it on me, but the pocket editions are not bulky and can be carried easy.

Another option would be to use your smart phone. I have a Droid X and I know there are applications for it that are sticky notes type applications. About the only time I use this application is for a grocery list though. But others may enjoy using this instead of using a notepad and pen. I am the type that still enjoys typing on an old fashion typewriter with the ink ribbon and everything. Something about the feel of it and that click click click. Not the most efficient, but I enjoy typing on it sometimes. Overall, people need to keep track of their ideas and build off them.

The last word of advice is that most every professional writer I have talk with from, Jennifer Vaughn to Mike Stackpole, set a word limit to write each day. Mike Stackpole advised me to completely ignore a time limit to write, only focus on results and word count. Structure and discipline are imperative if one wishes to write. So create good habits and build on them. One habit I am trying to get into is if I have an idea trying to write down ideas that are related for the purpose of linking articles together. I found that keeping track of my ideas and writing them down increased the amount of ideas I remember and the number of ideas that I had that tied into the ideas I was writing down. Now I have an over-flow and need to become more efficient with my time. Good luck to you, and let me know if you have any questions.