Where Are All The Stories?

As I watched the coverage of the commemoration of D-Day this past week, I couldn't help but marvel at the many, many story possibilities that were given to writers. The range went from veterans, diplomats, news media, the crowds of people witnessing the ceremonies, and even protestors. Yes, some use any means to show their dislike of someone or something whenever they find an opportunity, so they were a part of the commemoration, too.

As a writer have you ever said, or heard another writer say, something like I don't know what to write about. I'm out of ideas. We've probably all felt that way at one time or another. What we need to do is open our eyes and look. The stories are there. It's up to us to find them. 

Think about the people you know as friends and family. They are a treasure trove of story material. These people are not going to knock on your door and tell you they have a story you could write. Uh-uh! It's up to you to talk to them and write their story.

When you see something happening in your town that people are talking about, jump on it. There's a story waiting to be written. Whether it's a contested election, a letdown in infrastructure within the city, or a controversial high school football coach, it's a story for you to write.

When you sit at an airport gate waiting to board your plane, you have little to do other than watch the people around you. Stories there? You bet. You might witness a small incident between a couple or a mother and child that you can use to open an essay, or even write a piece of fiction using what occurred as the base. 

Go to the grocery store, and you'll hear bits of conversation as you traverse the aisles. Perk up your ears--there are story ideas to be heard. Not from all that you hear, of course, but some of them might be worthy of a story. 

Play the what if....? game as you go about your daily routine. As you're driving to the library, ask yourself things like what if all drivers suddenly began to ignore the signs at a 4-way stop? what if a small plane landed in the middle of Main St.? what if every tree in City Park suddenly toppled over? It's a great way to come up with story possibilities. 

The stories are all around us. I can't find them for you. Your best buddy can't find them for you. It's you who must see the possibilities and seize the moment.

If you still cannot find any story ideas, maybe you need a break from writing. There's nothing wrong in taking some time out. Don't make it too long, however, or you might not get back to writing.