Writers Write and Journal
At a local writers group last night, I met some wonderful people, heard a great speaker, and had a good meal. However, I came away with a gnawing feeling since I had gone to this group many times before. Here I was proudly announcing my new book to a group of people who could really use it.
My observation started with the introductions, around a large room with a continuous U-shaped table of about 35 people: I’m Sally – Fiction; Joe – Mysteries; Pete- Horror; Kathy- Memoirs and on around the table. All ages, all various “daytime” occupations and nighttime dreams of being a writer. The key words here are “dreams of being a writer” and the occupation of writer just happens to fill in the blank on this discussion.
As I read about writing greats like Michener and Hemmingway, those writers wrote – daily. Julia Cameron continues to write daily. If you are a writer, you write. If you are an artist, you paint, and if you are a _________ you ________ – you fill in the blanks. This piece addresses the value of writing, and most importantly, the value of journaling for anyone – especially for writers.
When I hear that work is crazy, my life is on overload, and I just don’t have time to write – sure you don’t, because you are all consumed by something that is taking you away from something that is far more meaningful to you. For many, the distractions of overload dampen your passion and creative spirit. Who would have energy or time to write creative pieces when you’re being beat up emotionally during the day with stress, work and family?
If you ever used the book, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, you are familiar with Morning Pages. If not, my suggestion is similar. She suggests 3 hand written pages every morning first thing. I suggest a minimum of 15 minutes (20 minutes maximum – use a timer if necessary) of hand written pages – before all the distractions of the day. Julia’s Morning Pages take just about 20 minutes. Hand written is the other key words in this piece, since the whole purpose of journaling in the morning is to get the garbage out and reach the real gems that ignite your creative spark and keep it lit. Hand writing vs. keyboarding your 15 minutes daily reaches a deeper level of consciousness scientifically proven not possible via a keyboard.
So if you are a writer, and you are not journaling every day, consider doing so to get that spark burning and staying lit throughout the day with additional thoughts and ideas to be captured … in your journal. Some writers view journaling as not writing at all, though I never understood that concept. Journaling offers the writer an opportunity to create more writing, generate ideas, mind map storyboards, and enhance characters. Journaling also helps the non-writer to work out solutions to problems in life and at work, polish accomplishment statements for the resume, and work on phrasing for that difficult discussion you will have later with a family member. Free writing using prompts, dialoguing with pain, journaling deep into your psyche to draw upon a creative side you didn’t know existed or knew it did and couldn’t find how to tap into it.
The only caution I have about journaling is it helps promote change. You start to peel away the layers of hurt, anger and resentment, you recognize toxic environments and toxic people in your life, and you begin to heal, grow and want more healing and growth – because you begin to see how much better life really is… all because of a simple 15 minute daily task. As a result, you start to change, you may find gossip or even TV no longer interests you. The toxic environments and toxic individuals can no longer be tolerated. By journaling you take a hard look at yourself and as a result you want to change … and you want to change things around you as well. You want more, you want a better life and you seek it out – first through journaling and then pursuing it in real life. This is where fiction writers excel with using journaling for their work with character building. Others find it valuable to journal on the things they want and how they can make that happen.
Change is inevitable…. Change is constant… change is part of growth and without it we remain stagnant, bored and constantly complain wanting others to fix us. By journaling you begin to see that you are the only one who can ‘fix’ you… journaling begins the journey to self-discovery and a more creative and fulfilling life. Happy Journaling!
Warmest Writing Regards,
Rosemary Augustine
Rosemary Augustine is the author of ‘365 Days of Creative Writing’ which offers daily writing prompts for all kinds of writers and those with a daily journaling practice. Her prompts have helped many see the change they want and have helped many writers break through writers block. Her book can be purchased at Amazon.com or on her website: www.RosemaryAugustine.com
Want more proof of the value of journaling? Click on the link below.
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