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Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?
Long ago –okay, for me, it was long ago!- it was common for a young person to keep a diary, a place to write down the heartaches and giggles of growing up, the trials and tribulations of school, friendships, sports and activities. Sometimes it was a locked book, so that we felt secure knowing our secret thought remained a secret.
How times have changed! While I no longer keep a classic diary, it is no less important for me to write down thoughts, ideas, and heaven-knows-what, on a regular basis. Nowadays, the common name is a “journal”, and seems to appeal to every segment of society. There are an abundance of ways to do this, and so many reasons why. Although I prefer longhand, many people use a computer, and there are any number of prompts/styles/methods.
Let’s explore this together!
Do you journal? What prompted you to start? What would you tell someone who wants to start?
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@gingerw Have you heard or read Natalie Goldberg book Writing Down the Bones? She shares her process of writing.
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3 ReactionsThe Goldberg book is a good read for someone wanting to write but not sure how to get going.
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3 Reactions@marjou I have that book, too! I was taken aback to see the wide variety still on my shelves. At one point there were 3 bookcases in my apartment, now down to one 6'. It was difficult to release old friends in printed form. Like many, the printed page is tactile, the borders and pages have notes, pretty interesting to read years later.
I liked the "Artist's Way", although there are times I didn't adhere to the rules. Anytime you start a journey of self-work and discovery, it can be scary. Then there is a lot of times I tell myself "you have to go through the discomfort and darkness to get to the healing". What do you think?
Ginger
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2 Reactions@gingerw I do agree that we have to go thru the rough spots to get to the other side of healing, but at times it's a more difficult task. These times makes it more challenging to approach.
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3 Reactions@marjou Years ago I placed a copy of "The Artist's Way Workbook" on my shelf. It can be used in conjunction with the namesake book, or not. Dug it out the other day, and going through the introduction. I think I am going to give it a stab doing this. While it calls for morning pages and weekly artist date, it is a 12-week guided program of sorts, each week focusing on something different.
Ginger
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1 Reaction@gingerw Let me know how it goes! Would be interested in your thoughts on process. Good luck!
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1 Reaction@gingew and @marjou, I liked the title of Writing Down the Bones but never acquired the book. Did buy the Artist's Way but didn't get too far with it and finally added it to other "how to write" books donate bag. Will be interested to hear how it goes for you, Ginger, in picking it up again.
Have others found, like me, that sometimes setting something aside that doesn't resonate and coming back to it later for another try, surprises and suddenly seems interesting and very doable?
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2 ReactionsHow to Write books are fine for getting ideas and inspiration but the best thing one can do is just write. Put pen to paper or fingers to a keyboard and let go. The great thing about writing is finding out what you know and think. It doesn’t have to be a task you put off until you are better prepared. You will never be better prepared than now.
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3 Reactions@birchlaker Absolutely correct, there! Sometimes we all need a prompt to get going, and that's fine, also. In my daily writing, I start out with a weather report, where I am writing, general "housekeeping" as it were. Then get to the nitty-gritty.
Ginger
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1 ReactionI so agree with what you wrote, @birchlaker. Just letting the thoughts come is what works best for me and that is probably why I never made it very far into the few "how to write or journaling" books I bought. I prefer pen on paper to computer but then I also prefer hardback books to reading online. For some quirky reason, screen reading or writing finds me getting antsy fairly quickly.