By
eHow Careers & Work Editor
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Step1
Read everything you can get your hands on. Story ideas can germinate from the most unlikely places.
Step2
Ask non-writer friends for ideas; everyone always has one or two, and unlike writers, these folks won't be concerned about sharing their ideas.
Step3
Talk to editors and find out what kind of stories they look for and assign.
Step4
Go back to old magazines and check for riveting stories that haven't been covered in the press recently, or look for ways to update old stories.
Step5
When you do come across something that might lead to a solid story, make sure the subject will be of interest to both you and the reader.
Step6
Be sure no one else has written about it somewhere else, and protect your idea from inquiring minds.
Step7
Pitch your story to the appropriate publication.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you're in Berkeley, and you know a strike's happening in San Francisco the following day, don't waste time. Don't get caught in police headquarters snooping around either ;)