Writing Training Continues with July Theme and Prompt

Week #1 – Nuts and bolts of emerging trends

Welcome to our seventh consecutive month in our innovative 10-month training program for nonfiction writers. In the last six months, we have provided 75 creative and unique writing prompts using six distinctive monthly themes. This month, our theme is “emerging trends” and our related writing concept is “sparking creativity in writing.” Today, your job is to explain the general importance of emerging trends.

Creative Idea Gal’s Thoughts

The term “emerging trends” sounds as if it may be redundant, but let me explain why it’s not. A trend can mean a lot of things, but my definition of trend is “an act that society does, usually in the form of copycat, after seeing others do that act.” For example, one of the biggest trends among youth and young adults under 30 is to text in acronyms and informal speech. When exactly did that start happening? When did society start to pay attention? I don’t know, but it’s a huge trend.

Emerging trends are slightly different than just trends. To me, an emerging trend is current within a calendar year. For example, today is July 1. Any trend that began as of January 1, 2013 is considered emerging, at least in my book. If a trend began last year, it is now passé, not emerging.

Tips on How to Spark Creativity in Writing

• Tip #1 – 1. Read local news in physical newspapers

Paying close attention to emerging trends is one of the best and easiest ways to spark creativity in writing. Since there is always something new going on in every industry, there will always be new information to learn and write about.

Go back to the beginning. We all know how potent and mighty the Internet is, but I think many of us have forgotten the feel-good, old-fashioned newspaper. Every metropolitan area and many smaller towns in the United States offer Daily or weekly newspapers. Reading those smaller newspapers gives the smaller guys a chance and provides good information at the same time. I guarantee you’ll be left with an “I didn’t know that!” reaction each time.

Emerging Trends on Twitter

All writers should use social media tool on Twitter iffor nothing else, than to follow and study emerging trends. Twitter’s emerging trends change daily, sometimes a few times a day. Look carefully at yesterday’s most popular hashtags, also known as “trends,” and you may just be inspired!

• #Paula Patton (related: movie to be released in September 2013 #BaggageClaim)
• #Chris Tucker (related: #BETAwards)
• #YarnellHillFire (Arizona firefighters)
• #IKnowThatSeatHappy (inside joke about Nikki Minaj at #BETAwards)
• #Debra Lee (CEO of BET at #BETAwards)

Writing Prompt 076

Prompt: Explain the general importance of emerging trends.

• Step 1: Define “emerging trends” the way you see it for others. Compare it to the way you see it for yourself.
• Step 2: Do you think writers care about emerging trends? Should they?
• Step 3: Explain the general importance of emerging trends. Include anecdotes to help explain the necessity of following and writing about emerging trends.

Please be sure to leave comments about this writing prompt. We want to hear from you!

About the Author

Amanda M. Socci is the creator of this unique 10-month training program providing writing prompts to nonfiction writers. Amanda is a diehard creative and an aspiring book author, currently blogging a book on faith, A Slice of Faith, on a community website. Visit Amanda’s blog. Follow Amanda on her journey to book publication. Like A Slice of Faith on Facebook.