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Writing articles for magazines and newspapers is hard work! Or, so we've been told by a friend of ours who tricked an associate editor (who happens to be his roommate) into running a 200-word front-of-the-book piece about designer doughnuts for dogs. (He's even supposed to get paid, like, a dollar a word 30-60 days after the piece runs!)

The hardest part of any article seems to be the idea. Where does one get an idea? How do big-time writing type people come up with all those crazy writing type ideas? While inspiration helps, so does this excellent website, Free Story Ideas, which could supply an entire year's worth of New York Post 'Pulse' sections and still have ideas left over for some USA Todays! As the site says "great ideas are the crux of great journalism."

After the jump, some of Free Story Ideas' ideas and some suggestions for writers who still might need a little something something to push these 'great' ideas through.

· "OWNERS OF MESSY DESKS GET PROMOTED FASTER
 You want to make a good impression with your boss? Maybe you should mess up your desk. UNDER POP CULTURE"

Okay, this can be your Malcolm Gladwell piece (in under 500 words) if you play your cards right. You're going to want to mention Jann Wenner's famous obsession with neat desks. (If you're thinking that this has been mentioned too often in the press to still be interesting, you're not thinking like a journalist.) Now, you're gonna wanna speak to an expert on the brain, but talking to those eggheads is a drag. Email Steven Johnson: He can break it down for you in a way that's understandable. Also, he's got a blog, so he's extremely accessible. Next, you'll need an ergonomics or workplace expert. Just call a friend who works in Human Resources (your friend will be thrilled to be quoted in a real magazine article) or stop into the Container Store and talk to one of their "home office" people. This article is writing itself!

· "IT'S TIME TO PAY YOUR UNCLE SAM
 Accountants say deductions may be more confusing than ever, but they also offer new opportunities to save. UNDER TIMELY TOPICS"

How did this article not occur to you? Everyone pays taxes right? Do you have a tax preparer? Call him or her and get a quote while you're making your annual appointment. Now, google "Tax Code" + Changes. And email some friends and ask them to gripe about taxes. Who like taxes!?! This article is done.

· "CUP OF JOE GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE
 Brace yourself in the morning for another hike in prices for specialty brands of coffee. UNDER POP CULTURE"

First, you've got to start a file of puns like "Coughing It Up for Coffee" or "Costly Cup." Then, you're gonna need a specious comparison like, "Americans expect to need a second mortgage to pay to fill up their car, but to fill up a coffee cup? Americans are spending more and more bucks on Starbucks and more dough at Dunkin' Donuts than ever before..." Now, go raid the comments section of Starbucks Gossip and you can begin spending that big article money now.

· "WHEN IT'S REALLY TIME TO THROW OUT THAT FOOD
 Are food manufacturers using semantics or is that food really bad after the expiration date? UNDER MEDICAL/HEALTH"

Another home run! Just go to your own fridge and start sniffing. Maybe call an editor at a food magazine for a quote. And while you have her on the line, pitch some ideas—now you're thinking like a real journalist!
Free Story Ideas