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I have been writing this blog for nearly two years and have pretty much settled into a routine about it. Call it my writing style, whatever. I know some bloggers take a lot of time and develop each post carefully, edit it, do research, almost conduct focus groups on the topic. Not me.

Know how some people seem to have an ability to bullshit about anything? I can’t do that verbally, but give me almost any topic and I can do the same thing in a short paragraph form, especially when the potential topics are so varied and non-constrictive. I make no prediction as to its worth, however. But the more you write, the more you can write and the more likely it is that something will resonate with some readers. It’s the old 1,000 monkeys typing away for 1,000 years will eventually write a Shakespearean play idea.

Not too long someone asked me how I came up with a topic every day or so. I had never really thought it too much…how revealing is that? So it was serendipity that I happened upon Joanna Young’s Confident Writing blog where she sponsored a 4 x4 writing project, explained here. She asked us to write four lots of four things on the theme of writing and inspiration. It forced me to think about those things that have inspired me…just to see if they fit into this theme idea of four by four.

In hindsight, then, this is how I get inspired to write these posts.

Number 1. Things I see

1. Television. Probably the most uninspiring media of all inspires me to write, if only to make a comment on some inane topic. From watching Kellie Pickler embarrass herself to being inspired by the HBO mini series John Adams, it gets me going. Cable news is the best.

2. As I drive to work. Most of the topics come to me as I drive to work. Something I see must trigger something in my writing oblganta part of the brain…because more often than not, when I get to my desk, coffee in hand, I start on the blog. It never takes more than 15-30 minutes. (writing hint: make up words as you go along if you need to.)

3. Observation. Most inspiration just happens from watching things occur and reflecting on them, I suppose.

4. After my mind is made up. I am struck by how often I do change my perspective or my initial thoughts on a topic, after I take a minute to examine the other sides of that particular issue. Must be an age thing.

Number 2. Things I read

1. Books. I don’t read as much as I used to, but I read enough. I don’t read trashy mystery novels like I used to, but business books and biographies. I enjoy the story of the biographies more now, and even pay attention to sentence construction and new words.

2. Blogs. I find new blogs daily and speed read them. I do have a few I read constantly, mostly because they are of good humor or particularly insightful.

3. Magazines. Articles and great magazine artwork still inspire me. I have a three foot high stack of LIFE and LOOK magazines from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s in my office, and if I ever need a topic I leaf through a few.

4. Websites. I am a surfer by training, having learned how to flip through books and magazines in the bookstores of my youth. I find myself learning something of absolutely no value at least once per day.
Number 3. Things I experience

1. Start up experiences. Having lived and prospered doing startups since 1982, gives me some perspective on this topic. Plus I have the confidence it in to write about it…but please remember the tag line of this blog…frequently wrong, never in doubt.

2. As a mentor. It is a privilege to be asked for advice. The process inspires me. And like most parents, we (me) are never short of advice.

3. With friends. I have a rich blending of good and infrequent friends, each of whom has their own story and their own inspiration that I draw from.

4. With family. Most writers get most of their inspiration from their families, close and extended. I am no different.

Number 4. Things I re-arrange

1. We all do this. There is always another way around the barn as grandpa used to say, and figuring it out has always inspired me.

2. New thoughts about… The older I get the less stubborn about ideas I get. Some might not agree with me on this, but I find myself questioning old ‘givens.’

3. Old ideas don’t die, they just need better stories. It is fun finally learn the power of story telling, just like the cowboys did around the campfire. I like hearing new and old stories, told well.

4. Add senses to ideas. I like the concept of “plussing” ideas and find it an inspiring, creative exercise to be doing it constantly.

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