Don’t Overthink; Just Write
How to choose which topic to write about
Whether you’re doing a writing assignment, a random blog post, or entering a writing competition, the most intimidating topic is “any topic”.
Please note that I did not say “every topic”. I said “any topic”.
“Any topic” suggests that you are free to address a subject matter of your choosing.
At first glance, this may seem like a blessing. You are given freedom; the chance to explore; the chance to be yourself; to find yourself; to lose yourself; to be a responsible adult and choose a topic that will appeal to your audience.
But what if it’s an unknown audience?
What if your topic doesn’t resonate?
What if your topic is unique but not in a good way?
What if you just end up choosing the wrong topic?
Will you be judged for it the rest of your life?
You’re starting to have second thoughts now, aren’t you?
Why is it so hard to choose a topic?
We were not raised to make our own decisions.
All our lives we have been told what to do as well as what not to do. We’ve been taught to walk the straight and narrow. We’ve been taught, since pre-school, to arrive together, sit together, play the same games, learn the same things in the same order, eat together, and leave together.
No matter our career choices, we always end up in a pre-selected group with individuals just like us who follow the same basic trajectory. This group is set over by our shepherds, known as teachers, who are responsible for keeping us in line. We become so comfortable in this familiar environment that we’re terrified when separated from the group.
How can you tell me to choose any topic without giving me an idea or a list of topics to choose from?
What if my topic becomes the odd one that stands out in a bad way?
How can I determine the popularly chosen topics and take my pick from them?
How will I compare my work with those of my peers to see where I fit in?
I can’t, so I’ll thread these lonely waters and hope not to drown.
Doubting your chosen topic
One of the downfalls of being able to choose any topic is that you might, even after completion, decide that you chose the wrong topic for one reason or another. This will result in precious time lost in research and compilation based on maybe nothing but a gut feeling.
Don’t get me wrong, it is very important to listen to your gut. The issue is that gut feelings are very similar to butterflies in your stomach.
It’s very natural to have second thoughts. But think it through before starting over. Are you just nervous about presenting your chosen topic, or do you actually have a better idea; one that you are more passionate about?
Decide before you delete.
Actually, don’t delete. Save it in case your newfound topic doesn’t flow as well as you hope.
Writing for an unknown audience
Another issue with any topic arises when you don’t know the audience.
The audience is the number one deciding factor for what to write about. Whether you will be submitting your piece to an individual or a panel of persons, it helps to know who those people are. This will allow you to choose a topic that can speak to that demographic.
Imagine doing an article called “The Genius of the Big Bang Theory”. You submit it with hopes of it being published in your local newspaper. This has been a dream of yours and you put all your effort into this masterpiece. Later that day you find out that the chief editor is also a well-known deacon in the Catholic Church. I can almost guarantee that this will not be the article that triumphs as your newspaper debut.
If your audience is unknown and there is no way to find out who they are, double down. Write for you. Write what you are passionate about. Write something that you can be proud of. Don’t waste time worrying about the unknown.
Survival depends on us being average but don’t accept that
The need for individuals to coordinate with other humans is crucial for us to survive and thrive as a species, which we have been doing for thousands of years. This, unfortunately, ensures that each individual is, for the most part, average. This is a safety net for the species but on an individual level, it’s a retardant.
If you dive into your history books, the people who stand out are those who refused to conform to societal norms. They are the ones who were seen as misfits or even lawbreakers. They believed in themselves and their genius enough to put their all into it come hell or high water.
The renowned writers throughout history are no exception to this rule. Not all of them lived to reap the benefits of their revolutions, but their names are forever etched in that infinitesimal percentile of greats. They are the ones who refused to just survive and instead put it all on the line to be their best selves.
Just start writing and do not stop
Don’t be afraid to choose any topic. Think about things that interest you. Put your hands on the keyboard and start typing. Open your mind and let the words flow. Begin whatever comes to mind and let your thoughts pour onto the paper or screen. The more you let out, the more thoughts will emerge from that untapped infinite reservoir within your mind.
If your work is ridiculed solely based on your preferred topic, it just means you had the wrong audience. If it is ridiculed based on your particular performance, then it means you need more practice. It means you need to write more.
Keep at it. Do it because you love it. Learn some more. Share some more.
As long as you have found a style or a niche that is right for you, stick to it. You can adjust to appeal to various audiences when necessary, but keep the spice in it that makes it yours.
If it’s an unknown audience, write what your heart desires and let the right audience find you and this goes for “any topic”.
