YOUNG ADULT-CHILDREN - For writers of all genre, and the readers who love them. Find what you want to know.
Beyond the Basics
Ideas, Observation, and Research
by Linda S. Dupie
The tools of a writer go beyond pen and paper or your word processor. Writers also use non-tangible tools like observation and ideas. You need to be aware of your surroundings, recognize and capitalize on ideas, and have the ability to conduct research.
Research
A dreaded word for most people, but to a writer it means uncovering new facts or rediscovering the past. If you’re not great at researching information for an article, practice. Visit your library, and get to know the librarians, make them your best friends. Ask for tips on making research less painful. Do research on how to research. There are many books on the subject of research; they’re even divided into categories according to the genre, or topic. Research is a necessity for the well-rounded article or story, and is an excellent tool for sparking ideas.
Observation
People tend to observe their surroundings naturally, but as writers we need to take it a step further. Writers need to notice and remember taste, smell, touch, sight, and sound. And writers need to use words effectively to transport the reader to a specific time or place. Carrying a pocket-size notebook is helpful. Write down essential details that help you remember the smell of the air, or how the mist hung over the dilapidated house and left you with an eerie feeling. Be aware of what’s around you, even in a place you’ve been a hundred times. You never know what might spark your writing. When you take your daily walk, who’s out when you are? Take time to notice them. Do they have a skip in their walk or swing their arms wildly? What facial expressions do you notice? These are characteristics you can apply in your fiction writing. But these observations can apply to article writing too. Take the walker who swings his arms wildly-is this good form for a walker? Maybe you can write an article on correct walking form. Noticing facial expressions might lead to an article on how exercising relieves stress.
Ideas, Ideas, Ideas
Look around; at any given time there are thousands of ideas right in front of you. Someone, somewhere has probably covered most topics or ideas. But this shouldn’t deter you, because your slant on the idea is what makes your article or story stand apart from others. Your weekly trip to the grocery store can lead to traits for characters in your book, if you watch the people around you. Noticing there are three new register attendants could lead to an article about the turnover rate of employees in chain supermarkets. Look in your own back yard. Have you noticed an increase or decrease in the number of bugs? Find out why. Make a list of topics you consider yourself an expert on-your children, for instance. Have they recently had a rash you never knew existed? If you were unaware, other parents might be as well. Look at your pets. Have you noticed an increase in fleas or ticks? An article on the cause of this could be a timely piece for your local paper.
Open your eyes and mind to the on going cycle of ideas. Observation generates ideas; those ideas lead to research; the research brings us back to observation and more ideas.
Here’s a list of possible Topics/Ideas from the world around you
- Pets
- Hobbies
- Children’s health
- Children’s Play
- Children and friends (can include different ages and stages)
- Home remodelling/redecorating
- Home-zoning permits
- Gardening-Can include lawn care or other seasonal information
- Local community-YMCA, local volunteer groups/fundraising
- New local road development- the pros and cons
- Trends/fads
- Antiques/collecting-What’s hot, what’s not
- Art Galleries-Is there a new artist spotlighted, what are the current trends in buying art?
- Exercise
- Help wanted ads-Search them for current trends in employment locally. Go online and search them nationally.
- Fertility-Advances in treatment, side affects
- School construction/remodelling
- Your retired parents-Their quality of life compared to your expected quality of life when you retire.
- National Debt-how it affects you locally.
- Interest Rates-How do they affect your quality of life before and after retirement.
- TV-The pros and cons, better or worse than 10 or 20 years ago, reality shows, what’s their purpose.
Visit Linda’s website: http://www.lindasdupie.com/
AGENTS & EDITORS
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- Literary Agents List
- Preditors and Editors
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Tips for a Successful Editor Appointment
- Want More? Here’s How to Get It
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Windup for the (Story) Pitch
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
ENCOURAGEMENT - IDEAS
- A Dream Realized
- A Guide to Assessing Writing Contests
- Beyond the Basics
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Fiction vs Nonfiction
- Finding Time to Write
- Finding Your Writing Compass: A Guide to Freelance Adventures
- Five Ways to Promote Yourself
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- How Not to Procrastinate
- How to Quit Writing and End up on the Bestseller Lists
- How To Write Your Own Press Releases
- Ideas Escape Me
- Keep a Clipping File
- Keeping an Idea Book
- Knowing and Finding Your Voice
- Moving Up the Rejection Ladder
- Mud Pies
- Plan for Success
- Pop Quiz: Who Are You?
- Rules for Writers
- The 8 Habits of Highly Successful Young-Adult Fiction Authors
- The Art of Being Rejected–475 Words
- The Juggling Act
- The Literary Food Chain
- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Why Children Like to Write Fiction Stories
- Working with a Critique Group
- Write Diaries for Your Children 01
- Write Diaries for Your Children 02
- Write Diaries for Your Children 03
- Write Diaries for Your Children 04
- Write Diaries for Your Children 05
- Writer’s Conferences Do You Really Need To Attend?
- You Can Write A Short Story Part 1 The Story Idea
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 2 The Meat of the Story
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 3 The Climax
FORMATTING & GRAMMAR
- Achieving 250 Words / 25 Lines Per Page
- And Sammy, too? Oh, No!
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Edit Easier
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Misused Words
- Navigating In Your Novel
- Proofreaders Marks
- Research Links
- Rules for Writers
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- Tightening Your Manuscript and Trimming the Word Count
JOBS AND MARKETS
- 35 Online Work Ideas to Earn Good Money Whilst Studying
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- An Interview with Holly Ambrose
- Copyright Primer, Know Your Rights
- EBooks-Fears to Possibilities
- Finding Markets Fiction and Nonfiction
- Freelance Writing 101
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- How To Be a (Shiver) Reporter
- How To Market Your Book After You’ve Written It
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- How To Write Your Own Press Releases
- Love to Write: Here Is How You Can Build Your Career
- Magazine Links
- Making Money As a Corporate Freelancer
- Market News–All Genres
- Need a Clip? Open a Newspaper
- Newspaper Writing Resources
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Selling to Children’s Markets
- Submission Tracking
- Submitting to UK Markets
- Syndication 101
- To Specialize, or Not to Specialize?
- Ultimate Guide to Being a Freelancer 2023 Update
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Why E-Books?
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
- Write Your Way to $1000 a Month
- Writing Groups List
- Youth Writing Markets
ONLINE SAFETY
SHORT STORIES
TARGETING THE YOUNG
- How to Write a Children’s Book and Submit It to Publishers
- Ideas Escape Me
- Keep a Clipping File
- Keeping an Idea Book
- Knowing and Finding Your Voice
- Mud Pies
- Plan for Success
- The 8 Habits of Highly Successful Young-Adult Fiction Authors
- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Why Children Like to Write Fiction Stories
- You Can Write A Short Story Part 1 The Story Idea
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 2 The Meat of the Story
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 3 The Climax
- Youth Writing Markets
TEEN WRITERS
WRITER'S BLOCK TOOLS
- And Sammy, too? Oh, No!
- Beyond the Basics
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work
- Finding Your Writing Compass: A Guide to Freelance Adventures
- Free AI Tools That Can Be Used In Business Writing
- Helpful Books
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Ideas Escape Me
- Knowing Your Target Audience
- Magazine Links
- Misused Words
- Newspaper Writing Resources
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Reconsider Hand Writing
- Research Links
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- The 8 Habits of Highly Successful Young-Adult Fiction Authors
- Unblocking Your Muze
- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Word Processors Through Time: Before MS Word & Google Docs
- Working with a Critique Group
- Writing Groups List
- You Can Write A Short Story Part 1 The Story Idea
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 2 The Meat of the Story
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 3 The Climax
WRITING DIARIES
- Keep a Clipping File
- Keeping an Idea Book
- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- Write Diaries for Your Children 01
- Write Diaries for Your Children 02
- Write Diaries for Your Children 03
- Write Diaries for Your Children 04
- Write Diaries for Your Children 05
- You Can Write A Short Story Part 1 The Story Idea
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 2 The Meat of the Story
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 3 The Climax
WRITING TOOLS
- Edit Easier
- Free AI Tools That Can Be Used In Business Writing
- Keep a Clipping File
- Keeping an Idea Book
- Making Time for Self-Care While Running a Business
- Science Writing Organizations
- The Art of Being Rejected–475 Words
- Tightening Your Manuscript and Trimming the Word Count
- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Word Processors Through Time: Before MS Word & Google Docs
- Working with a Critique Group
- Writer’s Conferences Do You Really Need To Attend?