Do you keep a journal or a diary? I used to when I was in grammar school, and boy I wish I had it now. It was a pink lined hard cover book with a minute lock and key that had gold lettering on the front, emblazoned My Diary. I’m sure it was fascinating stuff, I remember writing in it such incredible details. Like ate dinner with family, brushed teeth, read Mandy and then slept. But then I also read the encyclopedia before bed too. So another day might have read went to school, ate dinner with family, interrupted by piano lessons with Mr. Wein, got Mr. Wein glass of ginger ale, Mr. Wein said I didn’t practice long enough, brushed teeth, read A-B and then slept.
Now I know journals can be fascinating books filled with illustrations, poems, short stories, lists, favorite words, travel info and ephemera. These illustrated journals can be every bit as helpful to you as a writer because it can spark your creativity. Next time you go on vacation, bring a blank book and journal your trip. I recently found a notebook from a trip to Ireland when I was in my early twenties.And it really helped me in my poetry writing.
Today,if you have been keeping a journal find an entry that you could expand on.And really what is a blog but on online journal. How has blogging helped you as a writer?
Now get back to work!