Writerly inspiration in weird spots

Another answer to "what should I write about?"

One perhaps less obvious way to find a news hook for an opinion/persuasive piece or to spark an idea for essay or even fiction is to consume content you’d normally not read, and see what happens.

Regional publications are great for this purpose (obviously great to do during travel, but in these pandemic days, just pick a place a Google their regional news options), as are specialty magazines devoted to special interests that aren’t necessarily your special interests.

Or, if you tend to be politically left or center, read something conservative, and take note of the language and framing in the piece and use that to help shape your argument to land on the ears you most want to hear it. Think of it like glimpsing the values and narratives of people to whom you might most want to address in your piece.