Creative writing out of news
Melissa Donovan
Creative people are always looking for inspiration and writers are
certainly no exception. We look to the people in our lives, to nature,
and to the books, music, and films that we love. We call on our muses,
doodle, and daydream. We record our dreams, meditate, and contemplate.
And we do all of these things in an attempt to find breakthrough
creative writing ideas.
But we really need look no further than our local news stand, where
creative writing ideas are aplenty.
Open up a newspaper, turn on the news, or surf over to your favorite
news website. Guess what you’ll find? Stories. Lots and lots of stories.
And lots of writing ideas.
Characters and People
 The news is full of colorful characters, from the lowliest criminal
to the most glamorous business executive. Local heroes, big time
politicians, sports stars, and pop culture celebrities all mingle
together in the pages of your daily rag. Be sure to check the society
pages and the obituaries and let these inspire your character creations.
If you’re looking for really far out figures, try one of the tabloids or
scandal sheets. You can turn these people into characters in your
fiction writing or you can zero in on them as real individuals and write
a piece of nonfiction - an essay, an article, or even a biography.
Plots
I’m one of those writers who can whip up a character in no time, but
coming up with a plot wreaks havoc on my creativity. Newspapers have all
kinds of interesting plots and writing ideas for fiction. Look to small
town papers for quaint stories that are usually overlooked by mainstream
media. Large, urban papers will carry national interest bits. And many
periodicals off the beaten path contain tales of the unusual,
paranormal, and fantastical, which can be pretty useful for writers of
science fiction and fantasy.
Dialogue
The newspapers are full of quotes, and where there are none, you can
surely make up your own. Since dialogue is driven by character and plot,
you can simply delve into the goings-on of any news story and start
imagining what these people would say to one another.
Setting and Imagery
Don’t forget about the photos and other images! You can turn to a
magazine if it’s a locale you’re seeking. National Geographic or any
travel magazine will be great for giving you a sense of setting and for
providing compelling imagery that can provoke a poem or creative
language for other forms of creative writing. You’ll pick up interesting
phrases like “down by the levee,” or “at the railroad junction,” which
you may have not otherwise considered.
Historical
Are you writing a period piece? The local library will have archives
of old papers and other publications that you can review and photocopy.
Not only will you find creative writing ideas for character, plot, and
setting, you’ll also pick up lingo and other period details such as
everyday items.
Creative Writing Ideas Are All Over the News
When you want to sit down and write, don’t wait for inspiration to
strike. Make it happen. The news is jam packed with creative writing
ideas, and all you need to do is season it with a little imagination and
your next piece will be simmering in no time.
Here are a few final tips:
Get writing ideas from the news online, in print, or on TV
Check magazines and periodicals too
Another nonfiction source for writing ideas are documentaries
Where do you turn for creative writing ideas? Share your tips in the
comments.
And keep on writing!
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