It's Monday, the day I start working on my Odyssey article for the week. The Interstellar soundtrack is spinning on my record player, my dog Chester is laying on my bed, staring at me intently, and I am ready to write. I open a new google doc, the cursor blinking impatiently. I close my eyes, thinking through every past article I've written. How do I do this again? I know I just did it last week, but my brain is empty! After thinking to myself for awhile, I decide I've earned a break, and start watching vine compilations on YouTube.

Writer's block is an affliction that plagues every content creator on Odyssey. Given the freedom to choose our own topics, the possibilities for articles are endless. Current events, entertainment, travel, spongebob memes, you name it. It can seem hard to choose one idea, but throughout my time writing, I've developed some strategies to find original article ideas that I am happy to share.

As old-fashioned as this is, I start by reading the newspaper. I receive a print copy of the New York Times on Sundays, and digital copies for every other day. I sift through the different sections, usually focusing on Art & Entertainment, and International, since those are my favorites. Even if you don't have a physical paper to read, check out articles from any major publication. They are reliable and always interesting, so you'll be sure to find a headline that captures your attention.

Once you've found something that sparks your interest, reflect on it. How do you feel about that particular issue? Do you agree or disagree? Why should people care? Jot down a few of your opinions, and hopefully you can turn some of those thoughts into an article.

Second tip: read lots of books and go to lots of movies. There is no better (or funner) way to look for ideas than watching a movie. Movies and books do more than just entertain us. They can inspire us, and start conversations on a range of topics, from feminism to the criminal justice system. They show us a new perspective, and invite us into a world we could not have seen otherwise.

Yes, you can do book or movie reviews, but try to look beyond that. After watching a movie or a TV show, think about the message behind whatever you just watched. What were they trying to communicate to you? What is your response?

My next tip is a fairly obvious but important one. Talk to people. Most of my article ideas have been inspired by conversations I've had with my friends or family. If you have a chat with someone that you find particularly interesting, take a minute to write down your thoughts. What was the conversation about, and why was it important? This is a great way to write about your opinion, while also including different perspectives.

My final piece of advice is to focus on your passions, and pursue them. For me, even though I am a journalism major, I have a real passion and enthusiasm for the arts. I love to sing, play piano, and act. Chances are, you will produce the best content if you love what you're writing about, so start with your own interests and let your search for ideas grow from there. Hopefully these tips will help you overcome the struggle of writer's block, and you can let your creative juices flow. Happy writing!