One of the things aspiring writers worry about the most is coming up with ideas for salable articles. In order to keep several queries in the mail at all times, it is necessary to add new ideas to the list as often as possible. One place is a wonderful institution called the library. Of course, the Web is rapidly replacing the library as a source of general information, but for those not adept at using the Web, we suggest you get intimately acquainted with your local library. Not only is there a vast store of potential article ideas there, librarians can help teach you how to find it and also how to use the Web as a research tool.
University libraries are by far the best.
Some of you will have only small public libraries nearby, but even if you must travel a good distance to reach a college or university library, we suggest that you do so on a regular basis. Libraries, especially those connected with universities, have vast collections of journals and periodicals covering nearly every category and dating back for years. It is here, among the dusty catacombs of magazines, newspapers, journals and other research publications, that you find a veritable gold mind of ideas for articles. Trade and specialty magazines not only represent good markets for writers, they can also be the source of numerous ideas for articles to sell to general consumer publications. Say you come across an article in one of the technology trades concerning an advance in computer technology.