20 Articles you could be writing right now
January 09, 2008
Last year truly saw the rise of great integration between social media and individual web sites and blogs. The transition was almost seamless in many ways, so much so that this year will probably become an even more powerful year for social media and bloggers. What better way than to start the ball rolling in the new year with a list of article ideas that YOU could be writing right now?
I was coming up with some ideas for some articles and posts the other day, and thought I would place them up here. If you're interested in using them, please go on ahead (a link back to The-TrukstoP.com would be appreciated, but trust me, it is not necessary).
So here we go. 20 blog stories and posts you could be writing right now to start off the New Year:
1. Everything I learned in life, I learned from comic books.
Honestly: 2008 is going to be a comic book movie year. We've got big releases in Iron Man, The Dark Knight, and The Incredible Hulk. We have heard news of new films being developed further into the future beyond this year, such as Frank Miller's spin off to 300, news of Bryan Singer's sequel to Superman Returns, in addition to rumors of Spiderman 4 rising. Why not take a look at why these films have become popular, and why they are gaining even more popularity?
2. Nine weird phobias that people you know might actually have.
You have all encountered that impressive detailed list of phobias online. You might have even received it in an e-mail at some stage. Back in 1998, or earlier, of course. It has been a while since anyone's talked about phobias, so grab a few astonishing ones that people you know might experience on a daily basis. It might head for an interesting day at the office as you try and spot the fears your colleagues have.
3. Fifteen reasons why Jedi Knights are better than Pirates and Ninjas. May 25, 2008 is the second annual Universal Day of the Jedi. I am a Star Wars geek, so I am biased, but come one: lightsabers beat throwing stars and cutlasses any day. Jedi Knights FTW!
4. Forgotten and Underrated Metal Bands.
There are so many good bands out there that do not get the exposure they deserve. Why not give them some? Hey, you never know: your post might explode online and give that band the boost they needed. Stranger things have happened on the Interwebs...
5. Eighteen Words you can use instead of AWESOME.
Okay, so this concept is a rip-off of this post, but seriously, the word "awesome" is overused on the web nowadays. I am guilty of this myself. It's just so easy to use the word when commenting on stories, or responding to someone in IM - so much so, that the word has become the verbal "uh" and "um" of the Internet.
6. Twenty Four Reasons why Geeks love Weird Al Yankovic.
Weird Al is a geek, he loves geek stuff, he loves geeks, and geeks love him. Why? Is it really all about the Pentiums? Are there really that many people who are white and nerdy that can relate? For some reason, Weird Al touches a lot of nerves (in an upbeat way of course) with geek culture.
7. Top Thirty-Eight Wikis you should check out.
Beyond Wikipedia is the realm of wikis. From Star Wars to Halo to Comics, there are some remarkable and concentrated efforts made by people to make "in-universe" Wikis that have turned into very helpful resources - to geeks like me. And then of course, there is always Uncyclopedia...
8. The most absurd movie trailers ever released.
I don't think I have ever seen anyone do a post about this, but it is one I've always wanted to read, see, or do myself. I imagine it would be interesting. I mean, there are some great flicks out there, and when you see their trailers, you just can not help but say, "WTF?"
9. 39 ways you can make someone's day.
In the demanding lifestyle we all lead, it is very easy to slip into simply thinking about yourself. It is not deliberate selfishness; it is a symptom of how society and culture have twisted us as individuals. Maybe think about how you could make someone's day; and share those insights with others. You would be surprised how many people will be interested in reading these thoughts.
10. Reasons why you should evade television.
I avoid television at all costs. At the beginning of 2007, I decided I was going to discontinue watching TV. My productivity in all of my projects leaped forward significantly. I also have no love lost for commercials and tacky marketing. Why should you avoid TV? Tell me about it. Or tell me why you should not avoid television. I would be interested to read either argument.
11. Real Life News Reports that could have been made by The Onion.
Who hasn't browsed the home page of Mixx, Reddit, or PopURLs and not thought this one before? There has been a few that have popped up in the last year online that have made me ponder, "Damn... that sounds like it should be posted over at TheOnion.com". Occasionally the truth, it seems, is far stranger than fiction.
12. Top Places online to learn HTML.
With the rise and dominance of social media, loads of people want to find venues to find their own voice online. Some go to MySpace.com, others go to Blogger.com. Others develop their own sites. Why not give some tips of finding some helpful resources to assist people wanting to find their own online presence? You never know, it may possibly help you connect with some new, young, upcoming bloggers and web designers!
13. Twenty-Three of the most interesting tattoos. Tattoos fascinate me; though I have not gotten one of my own - yet (still waiting for the right design). I posted a story last year of some interesting Star Wars tattoos; and found this site of geek tattoos of some mild interest too. There is also this guy who loves Zune way too much. Of course, there are WTF tattoos, and cool tattoos. Plenty to write about: get to it!
14. When is the best time to post?
Some people look at their web site or blog with a strategy in mind. I do not. I never have; so I write an article when I get to it. But some people have unique approaches. Weekdays or weekends? Work days or holidays? Beginning of the month or end of the week? Throughout the day or in the middle of the night? You tell me; I will read it.
16. Why you should convert to the Jedi Religion.
Yet again, Universal Day of the Jedi is coming up on May 25. Also, the Jedi Religion could be a good rival to that of Pastafarians' Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, don't you think? Contemplate, and let the Force guide you on this one, my young padawan learners...
17. The Moment of Impact.
I will sometimes jot down a phrase, such as "The Moment of Impact" or "The Sound of Inevitability"; something that sounds out of the ordinary or exciting - and then write an article around it. You might find this to be an appealing strategy to try out. If you brainstormed or mind mapped this title, what sorts of articles could you write? Ten photos showing the moment of contact. 5 harrowing tales of people surviving the moment of impact during a plane crash. Footage of the moment of impact. The list could, potentially, go on forever.
18. Who would you like to see become president?
No, I am not talking about Democrats or Republicans; I'm talking about celebrities and notorious figures. Think about it: President Henry Rollins. President Gene Simmons. President George Lucas. President Joe Fowler. You get the point. WRITE IT!
19. The Best Movie Intros Ever.
There are a whole bunch of these videos at YouTube.com - and this is one of those kinds of "no brainer" stories that take absolutely no time to put together. Paste the embedding code, and compose a quick blurb for each one. Easy...
20. Forty-Seven reasons why you should never grow up.
One of my favorite titles that I am eager to get around to writing one day. Maybe you might beat me to it. I hope you do. I would read it; who wouldn't? Growing old is inevitable, but you do not have to "grow up". Comedian and actor Billy Connolly referred to it once as "turning beige". I refuse to turn beige. Or pink for that matter.
So there you have it. Twenty articles you could be writing right now. I hope you can make use of some of these ideas; if not, I hope they help you generate bigger and better ideas for your website or for your blog.
While we are on the subject, if you do happen to take on any of the above ideas, I'd love to hear about it and look at what you have written.
