picking at the splinter in the conversation
sometimes i feel inspired and excited to write on a certain topic before even starting to write, but it's rare. more often, i'll be in the middle of an ordinary train of thought when i'm struck with an interesting remark, like a splinter in the smooth grain of a floorboard. if you pick at it enough you might break the floor open entirely and find some treasure underneath, or on the contrary, something ugly and rotting that nevertheless needed to be exposed to sunlight to dig out properly.
you can apply the same principle when talking with someone on a deeper level. if they start talking in an uncomfortable or awkward way, it's a sign that they're not used to talking about that topic. if they're willing, you can gently ask them about that topic, probe deeper and bring out their honest feelings. you will learn a lot more about that person's true nature, and they may even learn something themselves.