I am well acquainted with the feeling. Preparing for the best man's speech for wedding, none of my sources gave me inspiration. Quotations were close...but missed the mark, or seemed glib, unoriginal and over-scripted. Distressingly (and, if you have ever prepared an important speech with a tight deadline, you'll know I am not overstating the case) nothing seemed to work.
If you have more time than that, here is the answer: preparation starts well before the speech, years even.
The technique I use is to collect potential material in a scrapbook or album or their equivalents online. News items, old menus, wrapping paper, photographs, signs, posters, things you overheard in the street, observations you made at work and so on. Photographs of things I saw that can be used a metaphors (roads, paths, wilted flowers).
A common problem at this point is knowing what to choose and what to discard. The solution is to choose whatever catches your attention. You will only know if it was "correct" - if ever - long after capturing it.
This method works because it bypasses the creativity-killer effect of a tight deadline. It uses serendipity as a selection method as much as any other. Sometimes the idea is direct. Other times the idea works because you have juxtaposed it with another item that gives it relevance or context.
When you prepare for the speech, the materials provide the best customised source for your speech and give it the best likelihood of success.
When you prepare for the speech, the materials provide the best customised source for your speech and give it the best likelihood of success.
