Neonjade

Why do writers need journals when we already write regularly?

Because the devil is in the details and, if you don’t write them down, they’re likely to desert you when you need them most! Journals fill in those details with your descriptions of settings from first hand experiences, noticed scenes, thoughts, and impressions of circumstances. Journals also house an archive of brilliant ideas for future stories and potential research questions. And finally, they provide an outlet to play with words, feelings, potential story lines, and strategies with no pressure.

What do you need to start? – Whatever recording device(s) that grabs your fancy.

Go with paper and writing utensil, electronic file, or some combination of the two; whatever you find comfortable and useful. You won’t keep up with something that turns into a chore, so don’t make it one by trying to use foreign feeling tools.

If you’ve tried keeping a journal “by the numbers,” i.e., always write in this type binder, in this location, at this time of day, every day or certain day, and failed; try doing it your way. I promise it will be more enjoyable if all you need to focus on is forming the habit of recording your thoughts. The method of setting them down and storing them should fit comfortably into your schedule and way of doing things.

Most journal keepers would be dismayed at my methods, but they work for me. I use a combination of bound paper, loose paper (paper bags, receipts, toilet paper; whatever happens to be handy when the ideas flow, figuratively speaking,) iPhone notes and voice recorder, and WordPad on the PC. I’ve scribbled my entire life, but could never keep a “proper journal,” and never kept track of my recorded thoughts.

Now I file everything electronic by date; I keep and tape whatever random notes or sketches I make on found scraps into the bound binder; and, every now and then, I even write on the pages themselves. It isn’t the prettiest system in the world, but it fits me by helping me to capture events and epiphanies in a way that I can look back on and remember with glowing detail. The electronic files are even searchable!

What kind of things go in a journal, again?

Remember, the Devil is in the details. Capture the feelings, impressions, the little things worth noticing, and the big things that bowl you over. Don’t bother with the grocery list of activities of the day, “I saw Mother this morning, went clothes shopping, ate lunch at Cahoots, and then came home.”

How do I make journaling a habit?

It takes 30 days to form a habit; thirty regularly scheduled days of doing the thing you want to integrate. Once something is habit, not doing it requires thought. Thirty days isn’t very long, but it can seem like forever if you make the habit a “chore” or punish yourself every time you need a reminder. So here are a few ideas to help make it as painless and fun as possible:

• Structured people who set aside certain time and materials:
• If you forget, try writing yourself a reminder and leaving it in a place you will notice before around your scheduled time.
• If a lapse was a “one time” schedule conflict, journal when you have time to that day, reward yourself for your diligence, and then go back to the “official schedule” the next day.
• If the schedule becomes a problem, change it.
• Less structured people who don’t normally stop to record things:
• Leave yourself a note somewhere you will see at least once daily that asks, “Isn’t there something I’ve seen, heard, learned, thought, or experienced today that I’d like to write about?” (maybe next to a notepad :))
• Carry a pad, something to write on that you don’t normally carry. Seeing it in your hand or purse will serve as a reminder to write.
• Enlist the help of a friend. Tell someone you see or talk to regularly about your journaling goals and ask if they could give you a “nudge” every now and then to document something you see or experience together.

Now that you know why you need to journal, how, and with what, just do it. Your results will be well worth the effort. If you need a little help to get you going some days, try:

• visiting http://journal.lifetips.com/ for a list of subjects and exercises to get your pen moving,
• follow @AZjoyful on Twitter for a daily prompt, or
• read http://www.kahunna.net/jtips.html for great tips that are especially useful when traveling

If you know some great tips or resources to help your fellow writers start or continue on their “journal journey,” or you want to expound upon or disagree with something I’ve said here, please make sure to leave a comment!