Think of journal writing as doodling with words. Before any creative writing project gets moving, there is a period of experimentation. This is the time when the writer brainstorms, jotting down thoughts or snippets of ideas that begin to explore the topic of the creative piece. The journaling process is different for each writer, but for everyone, the more you write, the better you get. Using a journal as a tool for developing your agility with words, and your unique voice can be a powerful learning device. As with any creative process, however, journal writing can be a challenge, especially if you find yourself becoming overly self-critical. Using your journal to explore your strengths and weaknesses, and to work through your self-doubt will help you face those challenges when you begin writing a formal creative piece.
Writing in a journal to become a better writer is a very different process from writing in a journal simply to record daily events. However, using the day’s events to reflect, free-associate and analyze, can do both: chronicling days while building skill and learning how to tell a story. The famous saying, “write what you know” is an endorsement for journal writing. How better to discover what you know, than to keep track of your own experiences day-to-day?
The magic of journal writing comes when you take all of those observations and insights, and deliver them in a novel way. This is at the heart of all good creative writing. Try to get outside your day to see it more objectively. Imagine you are a third-party, observing yourself from the moment you wake up until the moment you fall asleep. What would you say to yourself? How would you help yourself make sense of your frustrations or conflicts if you were a counselor or a friend?
The real trouble can emerge when you begin to judge yourself as that third-party. The very tool you use to gain insights and investigate creative possibilities can become a serious roadblock when it turns critical. Try to let go of that doubt and negative self-criticism. Every writer struggles with this, and must find a way to continue to move forward in spite of it. Writing is an art form and mastering it requires years of sustained focus and effort. Use your journal to explore your fears, hang-ups and doubts, and remember that you are learning and getting better all the time. Even the most famous and successful writers harbor self-doubt.
Remember that your vulnerabilities and human weaknesses are strengths when it comes to creative writing. Some of the most compelling characters are deeply flawed. As you write in your journal, focus on your flaws and the things about yourself that you aren’t proud of or don’t understand. Deconstruct arguments to get at what is really causing the conflict. The better you get at analyzing behavior, understanding human reactions and examining the things that cause the most pain, the better you will be at weaving these human truths into your writing.