Sharon Hill suggests the following.
‘I subscribe to news clip services and several blogs, along with many newspapers’ online newsletters and news feeds. It’s about 300-500 releases or stories a day and I pass most of them by but there are several that get me thinking, “we could do that” or “that gives me an idea.” And I never throw junk mail away – you’d be surprised what that can get you thinking about. I just stay open to how everything I see might translate into something doable. My job is about marketing and advertising and so a book, a magazine, a billboard, junk mail, and so many other things might start an idea.
I also listen to people. As a reporter, I’m always looking for the clever and insightful quote. What people say can get ideas going as well.
I also find that most of my creative ideas come early in the morning – some even wake me up. I spend a day or part of a day pondering a thorny problem and then somehow the night’s rest gets the creative juices going. I have this little recorder next to my bed so I can remind myself and go back to sleep if it comes to me in the middle of the night. Otherwise I’d never get back to sleep.”
Some suggested links:
