Getting The Most Out Of Your
Journaling
By Beth Ann Erickson,
FilbertPublishing.com
So, how does it feel to journal
daily? Take a minute and remember how it
felt as you formed words on the paper, how it felt typing on
that keyboard and watching your thoughts take a physical
form.
It’s pretty awesome, isn’t it?
Well, lets dig deeper now.
When you write on a regular basis, you can consider yourself
a writer. It’s just a matter of time before
you become a published writer. As a writer,
there are a few habits you need to establish.
First, you need to sharpen your observation
skills. You can do this by thinking like a
writer. After you finish each of your
journal entries, think about it throughout your
day. Think about how you’d write about
everything you see, everything you feel, every person near
you. You need to become aware of your
surrounding.
You need to listen.
What do you hear? How would you describe it
on paper?
What do you smell?
Do you feel anything against your skin?
Describe these sensations in your journal.
How does something taste? Describe (put into words) the
sensation of eating an apple. Easier said then done, eh?
Sharpen your skills by mentally forming words to describe
everything you encounter each day. When you
daydream, don’t passively “watch” what’s going on in your inner
life, take the time to observe each action, the assign words to
each action… turn those words into sentences, then turn
transform those sentences into a scene you can use in your
latest short story or novel.
Then, when you get a chance, transfer that scene you’ve just
“written” onto a permanent home… like a computer disk or
journal.
Do this exercise as much as possible and your writing skills
will really take root.
~~~
Beth Erickson probably does this exercise way too
much. When she’s not forming words in her
mind, she’s the publisher of Writing Etc. the FREE emag for
serious writers that will make your writing sparkle, help you
write killer copy and get published.
Subscribe at: http://filbertpublishing.com.
You’ll receive the free e-booklet “Power Queries”
when you subscribe.
This article may be reprinted, distributed, and posted
freely as long as the entire byline is included.
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