How to Write Original Content in Articles and Blogs

When you start to closely examine both print and electronic periodicals, it becomes apparent rather quickly that there is a lot of repetition in the material being published. It’s not plagerism, but the way the professional, commercial writing world works. What often happens is that a writer will come up with an original idea and will write a good piece and then numerous other writers will see that first piece and then have and “ah-ha” moment and work up a similar piece, often taking a slightly different angle or attempting to put their particular spin on the first writer’s idea.

Now there is nothing wrong with this per-se, but wouldn’t it be better to be the writer who comes up with the first, original idea? Of course it would, and if you can consistently be that original writer, then publishers and editors will start coming to you rather than vice-versus. Now being that original, highly sought first writer is an enviable position to be in, and the goal of every writer who wants to work consistently.

Here are three tips for writing original content for articles and blogs:

1. Come up with a good question and then seek to answer it. In other words, this is in opposition to the adage, “Write what you know.” You could frame this as “Write what you want to know.”

For example, “What is the benefit of funding a manned mission to Mars?” I’m not an expert on space exploration, but I do recall that there were many every-day benefits and things we use every day that came from the race to the moon. I could explore the history of those developments and then see what a new “Mars Race” might engender.

2. Come up with an intriguing headline and then seek to write around it.

In fact, if you don’t have time to write a story or do much research, just brainstorm some good headlines. Such as, “Race to Mars Brings Benefits to All”, or, “The Moon Brought us Saran-Wrap, What Will Mars bring?”. I know that often I will come up with a headline and as I write the story I will discover new information that will fundamentaly change the piece I am writing. That is to be expected, even relished. It is a key part of the creative process.

3. Begin without doing much research – just write.

If you are going for original content or a new and unique perspective, then begin without coloring your view with someone else’s ideas. Once you have a premise and an angle that you are writing from, by all means go back and fill in blanks and change things based on subsequent research, but at the start, draft a framework based on your own thoughts and ideas. What we are trying to do here is come up with an original piece of content that reflects “your” unique writing style, voice, and perspective. If you immerse yourself too much in the words and thoughts of another writer up front, you tend to sound (or read) too much like the other writer.

Whether you are writing about yoga, politics, child-care, or the latest developments in neuroscience, you can craft original content by starting with your unique view of the world and then moving out from there. How would “you” say it. That is always an original place to begin.

If you want to bounce a writing idea off of me free of charge contact me at rocky.l.cole@gmail.com. I enjoy working with new writers and offering advice – be it sage or not-so sage.