Keeping a writing journal is a wonderful way to build your own library of thoughts. A writing journal can become a valuable writing resource, especially during moments of writer’s block. The techniques for keeping a writing journal are obviously very personal, but here are a few writing journal ideas to get you started.
Writing Journal Idea 1 – Spontaneous lists
This writing journal idea can be very fun and very revealing. With your writing journal open, simply make a list of the first things that come into your head. For this idea to be successful, you must not censor your thoughts; simply write line after line of these spontaneous thoughts until you are finished. You will know when you are done when you have to start thinking rather than be spontaneous.
Writing Journal Idea 2 – Focused lists
This idea is more focused than tip number 1. With this list, you think of a topic and then start writing ideas as they come to you relating to the topic itself. For example, if you are thinking about ‘Summer Holidays’, then your list might include, beach, sand, waves, sun tan lotion, smell of coconut and so on. This is spontaneous and yet focused on a subject that you wish to write about.
Writing Journal Idea 3 – Your time line
This technique can be very powerful. You draw a line in your journal and hold the pen at the far left; this represents your birth. You then slowly move along the line and when any prominent memory occurs, you write it above the line and then resume. You may find a common thread of subject matter or you may remember a forgotten event that will provide much writing material. You can then go back to the previous two writing journal ideas and use these to expand upon your discovered subject.
Writing Journal Idea 4 – Experience
This is similar to idea number 1; however, it is based upon a specific experience and then includes the spontaneous thoughts and ideas. For example, you may walk into a church or a museum and then start writing your list based on thoughts and feelings you are experiencing within the building. Include everything; the smells, the sounds, the colours, textures and so on. For this idea to work, you need to use all of your senses, for example feeling the wall, listening to the sounds and observing the colour schemes.
These four writing journal ideas work well if you can use your writing journal every day. You do not necessarily have to use all four ideas each day, but try to write at least one spontaneous list. You may like to keep one writing journal and use all three ideas one after another, as they occur to you. You may want an individual writing journal for each idea and thus build up a library of writing thoughts.
As a personal insight, this author keeps a single, nicely bound writing journal. When it is time to use one of these ideas, I write in the margin the time and the date and the type of list: spontaneous or focused. If I am using the experience idea, I will write this in the margin along with time, date and place.
This has enabled me to build a writing journal that is packed full of ideas and inspiration. It is also fascinating to go back through my writing journal and relive the moments when I compiled these lists.
Keeping a writing journal is both enjoyable and productive. It is great for relaxation away from more structured writing and your writing journal will become your best friend; especially during those moments of writers block.
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