By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

 I never thought I would or could write for a magazine until I was asked to submit an article to a trade magazine.

“What could I contribute?” I said.

“Think about it and get back to me.” The editor said.

I remembered an instructor at Blue Ridge say, “If you are asked to write, say, ‘ yes,’ unless it goes against your beliefs, or you cannot research the information in a timely manner.”

I submitted an article on active listening. My article was highlighted in the magazine.

Since then I’ve researched and written other articles and learned so much in the process.

You can brainstorm ideas when you read, listen and observe.

Read

Read magazines. Choose a favorite. Read it cover to cover before you submit an article or query. Magazines have a target audience. Each magazine has a rhythm to it. Make sure you express the voice of that magazine. Ask yourself, “What would I like to read in this magazine”? Research their archives to see if an article exists. Even if it does, you might have a different point of view on the topic.

Read magazines that don’t interest you. I now read Trade Magazines. These are periodicals that are specific to a company or organization. While I read one of these publications I got an idea. I submitted an article, and they published it.

Read the Newspaper. It has current news upon which you could expand. It also contains press releases on books and events. Find a good press release feed or website to keep up with current information. They can be a solid source of article ideas.

Blog and blog comments– Your blog may have great ideas for a magazine article. Comments on your blog may give ideas also. Follow blogs in the area of your writing expertise for inspiration.

LISTEN

Listen to TV or radio talk shows so you can have your finger on the pulse of what is popular and trending. Watch morning shows or popular television talk shows for current ideas. Radio is a great source to get the brain working. Talk radio discusses issues concern people.

Listen to webinars or podcasts on topics that intrigue you. There are many free audio downloads on line.

Listen to conversations around you. God has placed a variety of personalities, cultures, and opinions on this earth. Go to the mall, coffee shop or sit on a bus and just listen. You will be astounded by all the ideas.

Observe

Observe your surroundings. Nature, people, and situations are a wealth of ideas. I watched a bird hit my kitchen window and get knocked out. My husband picked him up. The warmth of my husband’s hands gave life and flight to this little chickadee. I can think of at least three articles I can write about the situation. I bet you can think of one right now.

Personal experience. Don’t ignore your daily routine. There are great stories in the mundane. I just wrote an article about chewing food thoroughly. We all experience similar situations in life, however a unique point of view makes for great reading.

How do you brainstorm ideas? Please share in the comment section. I look forward to learning from you.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is a coach, editor, and partner at The Write Coach Team.

As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 21 years.

Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats.