Keeping a journal is much more than keeping a diary although some people still lump it into that category. A journal is a daily recording of events whether personal or business; sometimes the term is used to describe a periodical such as a newspaper or other publication. Personal journals can be a way to chronicle one’s life, it can help you with personal growth and it can help to make you a better writer. The simple act of writing on a regular basis will help to spur your creativity and help you to hone your specific style and voice. Journal entries will also provide you with lots of writing prompts for blog posts and stories.
A few ideas to get started journaling include: write about your direct lineage, traditions, namesakes, etc.; write about your most memorable school accomplishments; describe yourself, not just your physical appearance, but also your skills and talents; play your favorite music and free-write whatever the music makes you think of; describe your perfect romantic evening; or describe YOUR PERSPECTIVE on any people-interaction you’ve recently observed. Re-reading your journal entries will provide lots of story ideas to build on, a simple paragraph can grow into a full-length novel.
Use journaling to make your writing stronger and more concise.
Read about controversial topics that you might have an opinion about — read every viewpoint that you can get a hold of. The act of reading will enrich your vocabulary and help you to understand how to communicate thoughts and principles, it doesn’t matter whether or not you agree or disagree with the view or even if the view makes you angry or frustrated. If what you are reading evokes a reaction then the writer is successfully communicating “something”. Take notes if necessary. After you’ve had time to digest these different views, write your own opinion piece. Let it sit for a while (a few hours or a day) and then edit it so that your viewpoint is clear. Replace passive statements. Read the finished piece in front of a mirror (or in front of trusted friends if you want) — the writing should make you FEEL, you should feel more than simply reading aloud.
Write about an emotionally draining time in your life. Describe how you felt, the gut wrenching feelings. How did you react or over-react to everyday stressors? Get emotional, it’s okay to feel sorry for yourself and it’s okay to get angry at whatever circumstances there were. You are writing for yourself, you don’t have to impress anyone. You don’t have to write complete sentences. You can curse. Happy endings are great if it really happened but you don’t have to invent one. You don’t have to pretend courage. Just write, write as if you are the only one whose feelings matter. Your words can be raw.
Even if you have plans to turn a journal entry into a published book, your journal is yours and yours alone, so feel free to experiment with your writing, with your emotions, with your imagination. You don’t have to answer to anyone else about your journal. Journaling winds up being the sweaty exercise you use to tone your writing muscle; you know the kind, when you don’t want anyone “decent” to see you looking “like that” and when you ned to jump into the shower to make yourself presentable.
Exercise your writing and your mind — just start journaling.
Writing Exercise: Write a [private] letter to someone from your past that made you very angry. Tell them why they made you angry. Finish the letter by telling that individual how much better you are that: you no longer have anything to do with him/her; how vindicated you felt when he/she apologized; or how much better a person you are for having forgiven him/her. [remember this letter is for your eyes only]
Writing Prompt: Make a list of 15 to 20 items about yourself or your life that could be an interesting foundation for a story.
Challenge Assignment: Start journaling EVERYDAY. Make sure that you write about something different every day for the first seven days.
