Creating To Write List(s)

I like to form lists of titles and topics that I think will be interesting to tackle. This list is often scribbled on a legal pad, extracted and tucked in my notebook.

My notebook is my writing desk. Even though I am typically toting my MacBook and do most of my writing there, the notebook is my repository of ideas and home to quick impromptu writing sessions.

However, there is another fountain of inspiration that I use almost as often and it is of a more technical design. And that makes it a more dynamic inspiration tool.

Using Delicious to Track Writing Ideas

My first step involves delicious.com. I still use good old delicious as my preferred bookmarking tool. It is simple and fits tightly with my Firefox browser, where I do my online reading.

I do the majority of my Internet reading over my morning coffee and breakfast. I catch up on my favorite news and blogger via my Google Reader.

Items that trigger thoughts or ideas for future writing get bookmarked with delicious.com and tagged with “towrite.” In addition, I like to use the notes feature to add any comments that may guide my writing later.

This little habit of bookmarking your daily reading will build a rich river of writing ideas and a huge repository of research material.

I will often print off this evolving river of inspiration. Tucking it in my writing notebook along with my handwritten list–many times they are complimentary.

Use Twitter to Get Audience Reaction

The next step is where your writing ideas list can become very dynamic and exciting. I use delicious.com’s relatively new integration with Twitter. Every time I bookmark something I have it broadcast as a Tweet to my thousands of followers.

This simple automated step brings me enormous value. Not only does every Tweet typically help add targeted followers, but more importantly it brings me reaction to the topic or article I just bookmarked.

These reactions can bring me additional ideas, insights, sources, or even clients. This little passive trick can bring even more inspiration and opportunity to your writing.

Engage to Build Expertise or Sources

Don’t neglect the opportunity to engage those who respond on Twitter. Many times these can be experts and sources of information that will add depth and credibility to your writing.

Writing can be a frustrating if every blank sheet of paper or screen involves generating a topic or inspiration. Having that first step dynamically flowing all the time makes each new project a little more fun.