How do you establish what topic to write about?

It might be a very basic question for most of you, but I'm starting doubting about my process. When I decide to write a new article, I first check how many search queries a keyword gets into Google Keyword Tool. If there are a lot of queries, I will think about an article to write around that topic.

But I believe there is a much more efficient way to establish what to work about. I don't know, for example a tool that tells me the most popular searches based on a keyword (e.g. I put travel and I retrieve "which are the most dangerous travel destination of 2014?")

What's your best practice, guys?

Hi,
The basic thing is to search in Google what is being read in your niche. If your niche is Fashion/Lifestyle, research about it. See if any clothes or shoe brand has launched any new product, etc. This will create interest for users and you will get more traffic eventually.

Search something that you continue to love writing in. The Google searches should be good with medium Comp as well.

I don't go out and do keyword searches (to begin with anyway) I start by checking popular forums in the niche and see what questions are being commonly asked.

These questions = problems. When you write blog topics for your audience you should be looking to solve their problems. Write posts which answer these questions and offer a solution.

Great way to sell products.

Once I've established the question / problem and worked out if I have the answer / solution then I might go look at keywords and see whether there are any I can focus on.

I'm not too fussed either way about writing keyword orientated posts anyway I write for my audience and not for search engines.

Well what you will need to do is find a community in your niche like a forum or whatever. Then look at the questions people are asking. Which questions are being asked frequently? Those are what make quality post.