How to Find Winning Topics for Creative Writing and Stories

Have you ever felt stuck trying to come up with the perfect topic for your next creative project? Whether you’re a storyteller, content creator, or someone who simply loves to write, finding the right topic can make all the difference. After all, your topic is the heartbeat of your content—it’s what draws people in and keeps them coming back for more.

Today, we’re going to explore how you can discover the best topics for your stories or content. We’ll cover everything from understanding your audience to using tools that help identify trends. Here’s what we’ll discuss:

How to understand your audience’s needs.
Ways to brainstorm unique and exciting topics.
Tips for finding your niche.
How to stay updated with trends and incorporate them into your work.
The importance of keyword research.
Evaluating your topic’s potential.
How to plan it all out with an editorial calendar.

If you’re ready to create content that excites both you and your audience, keep reading.

How to Understand Your Audience

Before you even write a word, the first step is to figure out who you’re creating for. Ask yourself, “What does my audience care about?” Knowing your audience is like having a roadmap—you’ll never feel lost when picking a topic.

Tips to Get to Know Your Audience

Ask Questions: Start by asking your readers, followers, or community about their interests. Social media polls and quick surveys can work wonders here.
Check Analytics: If you already have a blog or social media page, your analytics will show you what topics are performing well. Look for clues like which posts get the most likes, comments, or shares.
Explore Communities: Platforms like Reddit or specialized forums like the hoot tech forum are filled with people discussing different ideas. These places can give you a real sense of what people want to learn or talk about.

Pro Tip:

Picture yourself as part of your audience. What would you like to read or watch if you were in their shoes?

Brainstorming Topics: The Fun Part

When it comes to brainstorming, the goal is to generate as many ideas as possible. Don’t worry about whether they’re “good” or “bad” ideas yet—just get them all down.

Techniques to Try

Mind Mapping: Take a large sheet of paper or open a digital tool, write your main theme (like “travel stories” or “productivity tips”) in the center, and branch out with related ideas.
Freewriting: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write down anything that comes to mind about your main idea. Don’t stop to edit or overthink!
Content Gaps: Look at what’s already out there in your niche. Pay close attention to what’s missing, and think about how you can fill that gap.

Imagine sitting with a group of friends throwing ideas around—it’s basically the same energy.

Example:

If your theme is “creative writing,” your branches could include “character inspiration,” “world-building,” or “writing for social media.”

Fill in those branches, and soon you’ll have dozens of ideas to work with.

Find Your Niche and Own It

Once you’ve brainstormed, you need to refine those ideas and focus on a niche. A niche makes your content feel unique and specialized so that it attracts the right audience.

Why Is This Important?

Imagine you’re at a party, and you meet someone who loves the exact type of book you adore. Isn’t that an instant connection? Your niche is like that – attracting people who vibe with your content.

How to Find a Niche:

Look at Your Passion and Expertise. What’s something YOU love and know a lot about?
Review Your Brainstorm Ideas. Which ones feel the most exciting to you?
Assess Market Potential. Is your chosen topic something your audience wants? Are they searching for it?

Example: Instead of just focusing on “healthy recipes,” narrow it down to “quick 15-minute vegan meals for busy professionals.”

Boom! A focused niche your audience will appreciate.

Stay in the Loop with Trends

We all know how quickly trends can come and go. But if you play it right, aligning your content with trends can boost your visibility.

Use These Tools to Spot Trends:

Google Trends: Check what’s trending in your region or industry.
Social Media Platforms: Click the trending hashtags on Instagram or TikTok.
Forums and Communities: Again, keep an eye on places like Reddit and hoot tech forum (depending on your niche).

How To Apply Trends:

Found an interesting trend? Relate it to your niche. For example, if “minimalism” is trending and your content is about travel, you could write about “packing for minimalist travelers.”

The SEO Secret Sauce

Here’s where keyword research steps in. SEO isn’t just about getting clicks; it’s about making your content easy to discover.

How to Do Simple Keyword Research:

Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest.
Look for words or phrases with high search volume but low competition.
Include these keywords naturally in your title, headings, and content.

Example Keyword: If your niche is “plant care,” a great keyword could be “easy indoor plants.”

Remember, though—don’t go overboard with keywords. Keep it natural.

Is the Topic Worth Writing About?

Not every idea has the potential to perform well. Use this checklist to evaluate if your topic will succeed:

Relevance: Does it match your audience’s interests?
Interest: Is it something people are curious about right now?
Competition: Are there too many similar pieces on the topic? If yes, how can you make yours different?

For example, if you’re writing about “morning routines,” can you add a unique perspective (like routines for night owls)?

Planning with an Editorial Calendar

Once you’ve narrowed down your topics, organize everything in a calendar. This will help you stay consistent and avoid the dreaded “I-have-no-idea-what-to-post” panic.

Include these in your calendar:

What (the topic)
When (the publish date)
Where (the platform)

Whether it’s a physical planner, Google Sheets, or something fancy like Trello, find what works for you and stick to it.

It’s Time to Get Started!

If you’ve made it this far, you’re already steps ahead on your creative writing and content-creation journey. Choosing compelling topics isn’t easy, but it’s so worth it when you’re creating something that resonates.

Try using these tips today. We’d love to hear about your process and what topic you’re excited about. Need extra help? Drop us a message—we’re always here to share more tips.

Go ahead and explore. Your stories are waiting to be told!

Discovering Your Topics | A Guide to Multiple Stories