In this series, we’re talking about how asking questions can help improve your writing, drum up ideas and round out your stories. In Part 1, we talked about Who. This week we’ll cover What.

What will you write about?

We often hear the cliché, “Write what you know.” This isn’t always the best approach, though. Are there things that you find interesting that you’ve always wanted to learn about? Why not research them and work them into a story or article.

What topics pique your interest? Have you heard any interesting news lately? Do you know someone going through a unique situation? Any of these things can become the center-piece of anything from a newspaper story to a novel. The more questions you ask, the more fleshed-out the story will become.