By Cassy van Eeden

According to Phillip de Wet, associate editor at Mail & Guardian, "If you're a good enough journalist you can look at a ballpoint pen and see what the human interest aspect is." But it might not be that easy for novice writers or for journalists who have been assigned to a new beat or to a different kind of news.

What not to do

De Wet warns against relying solely on press releases for story ideas. "If you are reading every press release that comes across your desk and allow that information to set the agenda, then you are already living in a state of sin. Those […] are the very last people who should influence you."

Stay informed

Journalist and author, Gus Silber, says, "There's nothing worse than journalists who aren't interested." He recommends that journalists fill themselves with an "awareness of everything", and a broad general knowledge, so that they are always able to actively engage in conversations where they might pick up a story idea two.

Silber says the best way to build up this awareness can kick off the day is by reading the latest news online and by going through newspapers. De Wet agrees that journalists should not limit themselves to reading about what they generally write about but to rather, "read widely, and outside your comfort zone".

Have a nose for news

Deputy metro editor at the Los Angeles Times, Steve Padilla, says that establishing a "story-hunting mind-set", is essential to finding story ideas. Silber agrees, saying journalists are "an always-on recorder of information".

He says journalists should always be absorbing what is going on, using all their senses, and questioning everything around them. "You have to always be curious, never take anything at face value and have a healthy scepticism," he says. "You need to have a nose for news, it should be completely instinctive."

Although journalists should be sponges that soak up any and all information, "the real skill is filtering", says Silber. Likewise, De Wet points out, "There is a difference between a story idea and a viable story idea." The trick is to go through what you know and develop a valid idea from there.

Legwork and where to look

De Wet says that legwork can be painful but that it is, "also amazingly productive". He remembers working with a now-retired journalist who would, "start every morning by phoning dozens of people".

"It seemed random, but he had a system: he never spoke to flacks, he never spoke to C-level executives, and he sought out people who did not really want to speak to him," says De Wet. "The stuff he came up with by shooting the breeze with logistics managers and salespeople, and anyone else who would answer a phone, was just mind-blowing."

As for where to look for story ideas, Padilla recommends paying attention to adverts, looking for public holiday stories well in advance of the actual day and even reading the classifieds. He adds: "Hand out your business cards like candy and end interviews with these words: 'Anything else going on?'"

Have you got any tips for finding and developing story ideas? What works for you? Let us know in the comments below.