Your Secret Weapon for Never Running Out of Stories
(And How One Simple Spreadsheet Keeps Your Writing Consistent)
Let’s settle this up front: not all stories deserve to be told.
Think about it — if you bump into a friend at the pub tonight, would you sit down and say, “Guess what? I had fish and chips for lunch.”
Probably not. It’s boring and nobody cares.
But what if you said, “I went to this tiny fish and chip shop today and the guy behind the counter was unbelievable. We got talking and he was ex-special forces. He ran the fryer, the orders, and the queue of punters without breaking a sweat. It was like watching a five-star kitchen hidden inside a highstreet chippy — run by a guy who was half Gordon Ramsay and half Bear Grylls. Made me wonder why I don’t organise my day like that…”
Now you’ve got a story. And a point. And you’d absolutely tell it to a mate over a pint.
That’s the test: if you’d share it face-to-face at the pub, you can share it with your readers too.
Stories Like This Are Your Hidden Fuel
Most writers crave endless ideas. But instead of gathering raw moments, they wait for genius to appear.
Here’s the truth: consistency doesn’t come from sudden bursts of inspiration. It comes from a living, breathing list of stories ready to be mined.
One simple spreadsheet is all you need.
Make a column titled ‘Stories’ and start filling it with:
Overheard conversations in cafés, airports, or train stations
Ridiculous moments with your kids or partner
Odd things you see on holiday
Family tales that reveal something deeper
Unexpected scenes on your daily dog walk
Insights from articles, magazines and newspapers
Ideas from films, podcasts, TV shows or live events
Remember: If you’d share it over a pint with a friend, it’s probably worth weaving into your next piece.
Your Stories Are Your Superpower
Readers don’t stick around for recycled tips alone. They show up for you — your memories, quirks, slips, surprises.
So each time you sit down to write, open that spreadsheet. Pick a real moment. Then pull off the trick: connect it to a lesson your audience can use today.
The fish and chip shop story isn’t just about lunch — it’s about systems, flow, and doing ordinary work extraordinarily well. It’s a nudge to run your writing routine with the same smooth precision.
Start Your Story Spreadsheet
Start today. Open a blank sheet. Capture one story before you sleep tonight. Add another tomorrow.
Build your private bank of raw material — and watch how easy consistent writing becomes.
👉 Want help turning this into a repeatable system? Subscribe to Weekday Writer today:
👻 Content Champion Ghostwriting
Need content that sounds like you & grows your business (without writing it yourself)? Want to work with a 25+ year veteran copywriter? Let’s talk.
📧 loz@contentchampion.com