FISHING FOR BLOGS?

Need a quick blog or newsletter idea? Like searching for that special fishing hole in your favorite stream or lake, a well of inspiration can often be hard to locate…or even bone dry when you need to snag an idea.

HOLIDAY INSIGHTS, an internet site listing historic ordinary and bizarre holidays OR alternate Days to Celebrate, is a good resource. For instance, I learned that Star Trek debuted on TV in September 1966. Good for any relatable Trekie or Sci-Fi trivia warehoused in the mind?

People who love…or hate…Ketchup might compose a blog after learning the record for drinking Ketchup belongs to Dustin Phillips, an American who—on Sept. 22, 1999—famously sipped a 14 oz. bottle of it through a quarter inch straw in just 33 seconds. There’s a competition for that? Holy french fries! Doesn’t everyone have a good Ketchup story?

Memorable brain-jog-blogs that nailed me were special days for September 5 and 6: “Be Late for Something Day” and “Fight Procrastination Day.” I took the hint and decided to finally stow the Easter decorations on my fireplace mantel, then planned to write a blog about how I put things off—someday. Sept. 6th was also “Read a Book Day.” Fudging a little, I may have qualified for that one because hat was the day I completed—and sent back to my editor—the preliminary edits suggested for my new novel. I can read a book a day, but track-change-editing your own book will slow you down, even if you’ve read the book six times.

Lucky September 13 had three choices in a theme stream: “Defy Superstition Day, Fortune Cookie Day and Positive Thinking Day.” Fortune Cookies reminded me of candy conversation hearts—and the sweet series of Wild Rose Press stories—all titled for candy heart inscriptions. “Hot Stuff” was my submission about a crime, a cop, and a klutz! The only superstition I give cred to involves black cats and Halloween. (Keep those cats safe indoors!) “Positive Thinking Day” forged a new mantra of hope. I will have prints of my new novel for the holidays.

“Wife Appreciation Day” on Sept, 18 was an easy post on hubby’s calendar, though I think he’s got that down pat. I appreciate him more than ever as writing often drives me into an alternate time zone where I even need reminders to eat. “Wife Appreciation Day” also reminded me to appreciate all the wonderful reviews for my debut novel, “The Accidental Wife.” I always have a special day when someone reads my book, then clicks for a review on https://amazon.com/author/cjfosdick

September 19 was “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” Funny, this brought to mind a little scene from the newest novel:
Without using his hands, he snapped the bacon like a fish to bait and chewed thoughtfully. “Aye, but I’ll take my porridge straight, if you don’t mind.”
“Aye Aye,” Scout chimed in from his high chair, banging on his empty bowl with a spoon. “More,” he said, licking the last of the oatmeal from his chubby fingers.
We both chuckled at the mimic while I dished out more oatmeal. “Let me guess. You’ve been reading Goldilocks and his pirate books again…aye?”
Mitch sucked his lips into a straight line. “Oh aye, but Goldilocks?”
“She ate the bear’s porridge, and wanted more.”
“Cheeky little lass.”

September 23rd was designated as “Dog in Politics Day.” Lots of blog ideas there, even if you don’t own a dog. However, courage to write about political convictions could be dicey this fall, unless some unbiased doggie humor can be extracted from the unreality show that will end in an election.

My favorite alternate day to celebrate is destined to become a favorite for any blogger. A whole 24 hours on September 28th for “Ask a Stupid Question Day!” Are we ever too old to learn something stupid?

Finally, September 29th is “Confucius Day.” Lots of red meat here if you look up his quotes! I love the line quoted in the Pear/book picture, though I never credited it to Confucius. Research is such fun! And only a little trolling can net a basket of great ideas for blogging and newsletters.

Cj Fosdick, http://www.cjfosdick.com