Many thanks to @EcoInteractive). Because of their tweet I just listened to “Where do your good ideas come from,” a TED Talk by Steven Johnson, best-selling author of six books on the intersection of science, technology and personal experience.

I get asked a variation of that question a lot: Where did you get the idea for your book?

I also hear:

  • Where do you get your ideas about your characters?
  • What should I write about on the blog?
  • I just don’t have any ideas
  • I don’t know what to tweet about
  • I don’t want to share my idea yet

Steven’s talk offers the premise that many good to great ideas come through what he calls the “connected network,” whether that be your local coffee shop or a regular meeting of the minds in any office or social community.

Ideas shared upon ideas. Rejected, argued, accepted, slept on, noodled, until the idea, baked to perfection like a Barefoot Contessa souffle, pops out of the oven.

I have to admit, even my so-called best ideas have always been enhanced by sharing with others. This particular novel I am working on has taken many turns after reader feedback. It’s getting tighter, more authentic as I go, and even though many ideas aren’t directly my own per se? I’ve made them my own through personal interpretation to the page.

Steven Johnson said many companies may tend to barricade off their ideas to protect them. Many writers do this too.  To this group I say, “Go ahead and share them. Comfortably.” Comfort level is important. But you may be surprised to find that small group of friends at the local Starbucks offer just the right blend of spice to add richness to your Grande Latte.

So where do I find ideas for writing?

I find it to be true that the daily absorption of data assaulting my senses eventually ends up in something I am writing. Lately, when some interesting bit of info hits my brain it consciously or unconsciously gets stored in a nebulous right or left brain writing folder.

  • At a basic level? Hmm, might be an interesting tweet
  • Blog worthy? Could be
  • Novel idea?
  • Character x could do that
  • That might fit in chapter 18 of x book
  • Interesting pitch for the ad at work
  • Etc.

Some people carry notebooks around. Jot the snippets in for future reference. Others carry a recorder. Or take a pic on their phone. Or send an email to a home account. I did that myself recently. A contact on LinkedIN sent me a funny reply about “socially acceptable following.” Maybe it will work somewhere, someday.

I also:

  • Have a blog folder for print outs of anything interesting that sparks me
  • Keep a Word file for book title ideas
  • Use folders on my PC for various book ideas that I am developing
  • Write on napkins
  • Write on deposit slips
  • Bookmark sites and articles for future research
  • Record character traits that are interesting
  • Snip out pictures from magazines of what a character might look like

Be observant. It helps.

Read body language. Read intonation. Read. Watch the news. Learn history. Speculate about the future. Watch movies. Watch Youtube. Documentaries and sitcoms. See it one way. Ask what is missing? Turn it on its head and say, “Here’s how I would have done it differently.” Night at the Museum is such a great example of thinking different. What if the exhibits came to life?

It can be a lot like when you were a kid and played “connect the dots.” Connect your different information and ideas and it will eventually build a picture worth sharing. Or when you played the game Clue with your family. This idea, with that idea, in the parlor with Colonel Mustard? Bingo.

Chris Brogan even made it easier for bloggers. For a small fee he will give you ideas for your blog. And those ideas might spur articles, or eBooks, or novels. Who knows.

I was in a grocery store once, chatting with the young student bagger. He was telling me about igloos. In Minnesota, especially this winter, it seemed a relevant topic. Apparently one candle will warm an igloo to 60° F. Seems to me, building igloos for the portion of the greater North’s homeless population that doesn’t make it in a shelter isn’t such a wacky idea. The kid got kind of excited. I told him to go make great social changes. If you can make it work? Go for it!

Wherever the ideas are coming from. Keeping writing them. Keep sharing them. One may be great and change the world. One inspire, another make us laugh or cry. All are welcome.

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