What Day is It?

What day is it? Although I sometimes find myself wondering what day of the week it is, that is not what I am asking today when I ask that question. Today, I’m wondering if it is national pickle day or national take your cat to work day or one of the million other things that someone deemed should have its own special day. These focus days are good fodder for writers.

There are serious subject matters for some days, and they are important. Days such as National Organ Donor Day and National Grief Awareness Day could generate helpful and weighty articles for magazines. Just remember that magazines accept articles months in advance of the date they will be published so if you are going to write for a special day or occasion, plan accordingly.

Since this is a lighter look at writing, let’s think about some of the fun, lighthearted designated days. January 2^nd is National Cream Puff Day. What a yummy idea starter to write about. The second Monday in January is clean off your desk day. I really need to observe that one before I can write about it. April 4^th is Hug a Newsperson Day. Now that might get us on the news. National Wear Your Pajamas Day is April 16^th. That’s strange, I thought every day was pajama day for writers.

Time to focus and come up with some writing ideas. Peanuts are a good subject. There is National Peanut Day, Peanut Butter Day, PB&J Day and so on and so on. Okay, we have a subject now, what can we write?  How about an article on peanut allergies for a parenting magazine. Maybe another article on the benefits of peanuts for a health pamphlet. Let’s not forget peanut people like George Washington Carver and our peanut farming president Jimmy Carter. One last note about peanuts. Did you know they aren’t really nuts. Interesting enough for an article, right?

If you don’t like peanuts then pick a nut, any nut. I’m sure there is a day for it. Don’t like nuts at all? No problem. Maybe you prefer chocolate, hard candy or fish. They all have a day. No matter what your taste you still have plenty of subjects to choose from and plenty of serious and ridiculous idea generating themes. So, find one and go nuts or not.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.