Welcome to Step 1 of Your Fret Free Writing Method!
Journaling is known to release stress and inspire creativity and imagination. However, for many folks trying to come up with something to write about is a source of stress and frustration which in the end stifles creativity rather than helps it flow.
Well, how do you get around this?
By getting yourself to write anyway, even if it’s just one line is necessary, but coming up with new and improved things to write about every day isn’t necessary at all! The 3 Creative Journal Techniques below are designed to prompt your imagination by suggesting you begin your creative journey addressing specific subjects such as gratitude, daily goals, confidence, dreams, and of course your own original ideas.
To get started, don’t concern yourself with things like grammar, punctuation, and spelling. And don’t worry about writing every day either. It’s perfectly okay to go with three or so times a week. Patience and consistency are crucial in developing new habits. Focus on one simple thought or idea and start by writing just one sentence without censoring yourself. The type of journal you use isn’t important. You could pick a simple cardboard bound composition notebook, a fancy fabric-covered bound book, or even just a spiral notebook. If handwriting is an issue then simply make three separate folders inside any word processing program. However, do write by hand if you can because it trains and stimulates the brain in ways digital communication does not.
Starting with any one of the three journal techniques below will put you on your way towards writing or finishing that one book or story you’ve been fretting over. Journaling is a fantastic means for self-exploration and developing your own unique creative style and voice.
So, let’s begin and remember these 3 important principles for increasing
your creative flow:
No Judgement, Relax, and Enjoy!
Step 1
Mindset
A good positive mindset is essential for writing that one story you’ve been fretting over but getting there can take some work. A personal mindset journal can be a perfect way to make the shift from frustration and doubt to creativity and confidence.
Let’s begin with the idea that there is no right or wrong way to journal as long as the ultimate goal is to become more self-aware which in turn leads to personal growth or what is known as a growth mindset.
A growth mindset simply means that you are open to trying new things. You are openminded and willing to take actions that can lead to positive outcomes such as the development of confidence in your skills and abilities which in turn sets the stage for successful creative self-expression. The pursuit of a growth mindset leads to new opportunities and alternative solutions to life problems that might be holding you back, such as self-doubt or other kinds of insecurities, in turn leading you to feel more confident and self-assured.
Before you know it you’re no longer fretting, but instead, enthusiastically writing and in your own personal style and voice, too!
But, what if you’re new to journaling or the journaling you’ve done in the past wasn’t too successful?
Don’t worry. I’m here to help!
I’m often asked, “How do you journal, Christie?”
My Journal Journey:
The journals I had as a child were hardbound little diary’s with locks and keys often covered with flowers or animals. I wrote all my secrets inside and hid it deep inside my room. Today, I do keep my journals private and stowed away but minus the lock and key, and I’m usually using a large spiral notebook. To make it harder for others to read I write two sentences per line. I’ve even had to pull out the magnifying glass to reread my own journal, so, prying eyes have a harder time. This is the kind of journaling I do the most often and always in the morning.
I journal in a combination of methods that might change depending on how I’m feeling on any given day. One day I may need to make a bullet journal to remind myself of my accomplishments and the next maybe I just need to ramble, a sort of stream of consciousness or brain dump exercise. I journal to let go of things that are bothering me, to reflect on myself and my actions, to see what I could have done differently, alternative solutions to mistakes, about gratitude, goal setting or for an attitude adjustment. It is the goal of my journaling that is consistent – the growth mindset.
A personal journal or diary is just that… about you, your person, your personal life. You can write about things that you don’t want anyone else to know or maybe you don’t mind. That is a personal decision. So, that’s what I do most. I write about things that happened to be during the day. People I spoke to or encountered, things I thought about or researched, anything and everything I might have done that day.
The most important aspect of my personal journal is how I’m feeling about something. Here is where I can practice describing emotion, really exploring how I feel and why. But it doesn’t stop there. I also want to know if I’m doing good or making mistakes. I take stock of my day and my actions. I take the opportunity to learn about myself, give myself credit for my accomplishments, and come up with alternative solutions to problems I might not have handled so well.
I also write about gratitude. Sometimes it’s a simple gratitude list and other times I go into great detail. I’ve found that starting the day with an attitude of gratitude really helps set my mood for the whole day.
And last but not least, every morning I pick one thing I want to accomplish for the day and then I write about why it’s important to me. It doesn’t matter what the goal is. Maybe I have content to write for my web page or maybe I need to get in that overflowing closet and get it organized. The point is for me to remind myself why that goal is important to me and come up with one action step that will help me reach that goal, and most importantly, I act. Actions lead to competency and competency builds confidence and confidence is key to writing in your own style and voice.
I find these three journaling techniques to be the most effective because when I learn about myself I grow as a person. It’s the growth mindset and it ultimately leads to confidence by asking myself to be open minded and try new things I find that I am capable of doing much more than I realized.
If none of my suggested methods of journaling appeal to you there are many different styles and techniques to choose from as long as you’re working in a place of self-exploration and awareness with a growth mindset.
Learn what works for you. Better yet, create your own style and go for it!
Still not quite sure about journaling? There will be more information shared in the coming month’s blog. Or consider asking a question at FB or posting on the discussion boards.
Christiane Howards is a supportive community where we help each other. There is no such thing as a stupid question and we’re always looking forward to a good discussion!
Dreams & Notions
A dream journal is a recording of your dreams, or at least what you can recall of them. The idea is to simply write down the dreams you can remember whether it be in their entirety or just snippets to be able to look to later for analysis or creative inspiration.
Do You remember your dreams?
Some mornings you might not remember your dreams at all while others might be quite clear and vivid memories upon waking. Keep a notebook and pen nearby so that you can write down your dreams before the real world has a chance to interfere. Getting up and performing other morning activities will take your thoughts away from the specifics of the dream to focus on the daily routine instead.
The inspiration for this series, Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile , came from a dream, and it wasn’t a pleasant one. I vaguely remember the visual details of that dream to this day, but not all the little nuances that I was able to record in my journal. Luckily, I had written them down and was able to look back over the words for inspiration.
Recording the dream didn’t flow like I was writing a well-thought-out and outlined book chapter. There were snippets of visuals, thoughts, people, places, and there were blank areas where I couldn’t remember what happened at all, but what I could remember were the feelings. They were immediate. I was still feeling them even though I was awake. I wanted to remember how the dream made me feel because that’s where I was feeling the most impact. The process can be a bit disorienting and daunting, but the end results make it worth the effort.
The idea behind your dream journal is to get your creativity flowing. It’s practice for what’s to come. When you’re recording the dream include as many details as possible. You might not remember the full scene, but maybe the color orange stands out in your mind.
So, for example, just write down the word orange. Upon review of the journal entry, you can take stock of the various things the word orange means to you such as warm, fruit, or the setting sun.
The same goes with any other words that stand out in your mind. Chances are if you’re writing down a dream it has had some kind of impact on you, good or bad. Write down everything that comes to mind no matter how seemingly insignificant.
Even though you record elements of a specific dream you may find yourself inspired to write about something completely different which is fantastic! Your creativity is beginning to flow and once in the flow you just keep on going! Again, write whatever comes to mind, it could be free-floating ideas, a brain dump, stream of consciousness, or a story idea, but just write. You’ll be surprised at what all that randomness can produce.
But it doesn’t have to be all random either.
Maybe you recall the dream in its entirety and want to write it as a story. That’s great, too!
Work on your vocabulary and your descriptive tools put the focus on expression. Use your own words. Use your own voice. This is your dream. This is your world. Write it the way that you want. So, the outcome isn’t exactly what you’d hoped for? Learning how to write in your own style and voice takes practice which is exactly what this journal is for.
And remember your daydreams, too!
Inspiration comes in so many different ways. Maybe a quick notion for a story pops into your head. Jot it down, then go back to it later to expand the concept and plot line.
What about that memorable person you just saw in line at the coffee shop? Make a note of them, too. They could be your next best story character.
Did you happen to get an idea while staring out the car window waiting at that traffic light? Again, take a mental note and come back later to experiment and develop in your journal.
Think about what you saw. Take in as much detail as possible. Not just visual, but physical, sounds, and feelings. What about the view excited you? Was it an occurrence, the colors, maybe the feeling you go from the entire scene? Was it creepy, beautiful, or awe-inspiring?
If you’re open to the world around you, you’ll find inspiration just about everywhere!
The dream journal gives you a place to experiment with forms of expression. Here is where you can practice writing in the style of your favorite author or that graphic novel you just read.
The dream journal is a safe and personal creative space for developing new techniques which will lead you to find your own personal and unique writing style and creative voice.
Remember this is about developing your personal style. A dream journal is just one of many tools at your disposal. For more ideas keep an eye on the blogs.
Have a question? Check out the discussion boards or ask the FB group.
Christiane Howards is designed for us all to work together in a supportive community so that we can discover new forms of expression and creativity!
Writing Prompts
A writing prompt is simply used to help writers begin writing and a writing prompt journal is where you not only write from prompts but also take notes about other writing ideas as well.
Writing prompts are especially handy when someone is experiencing some sort of writer’s block. You know the kind, where you stare at the blank screen or page but no words show up, the kind that may have had you fretting over that one story for years. Writing prompts are designed to help you over that jump.
Writing prompts can be a single word, a phrase, a paragraph or even a picture. The idea is to jot down some thoughts that come to mind when considering the prompt and use them later to write a story or essay. Sort of like an outline.
The good news is that your imagination is free to run wild! You don’t have to stick exactly to the original prompt. You can wander off in a different direction all together. The theory of the writing prompt is to spark your creativity until it turns into a flow!
The good news about Divine War Games of Whimsy and Wile is that the entire story is written as one big writing prompt, so to speak. Of course, the book has a theme, story arcs, and many characters but there is also much room for speculation as to what the characters might be doing in their ‘off screen’ time. Some situations have been left purposely opened so that you, the writer, can expand upon what you’ve read.
Through fan art you’re encouraged to create completely different scenarios other than what might be happening in the original text. The story is written to be a shared experience.
Take the end of any chapter and continue the story. Take a character out of context and ship them off to a vacation to Paris.
Enhance a character’s backstory. Do they have another job? Are they working in secrecy for the other side? What happens to them there and what kind of trouble do they get into and out of?
Add mystery and intrigue in any way you see fit. Your imagination is your only limitation.
There are plenty of things to consider when looking at a writing prompt.
Let’s take this picture as an example.
At first glance the whole thing seems pretty self-explanatory. The dog is typing. Okay, first off, how did the dog learn to type? Is it a real dog? A magical dog? Maybe a robot dog? Or do dogs in this dog’s universe have the same abilities as humans? Maybe he can talk, much less write. And what would he be writing about anyway? Is he an author with writer’s block, too? He could be writing a magazine article for travel to his favorite beach, or maybe his favorite sport made it to the finals.
Of course there are plenty of other ways to consider this picture. How does the dog feel? Who is he writing to? Is it a love letter, maybe a resume, or a biography. Is the time of day significant and what's with the fluorescent pens? Does he really need those glasses and who's desk is that anyway?
Let’s go with the idea that he is going to run away and he’s typing his goodbye note. Really consider the possibilities of what this could mean. He could get lost or he could end up finding a dream job and living the high life. And how does our dog feel about all this? What happens to him along the way? Does he meet anyone or learn anything significant? And even consider such things as the weather or time of year and how it would affect his efforts.
There are so many possibilities from this one photo to write about.
I’ve barely scratched the surface. Jot down notes, key words, scenarios, whatever comes to mind and then make something with it.
Don’t worry about whether it sounds realistic or absurd. You’re job is to make it entertaining using your own style and voice. Don’t get caught up in editing. Use as many words as you’d like regarding how the dog looks walking down the street or how he feels about the possibility of leaving home. This is your story!
I know from experience that trying to figure out your own writing starts can be frustrating, so, don’t worry! There will be plenty of prewritten prompts for you to choose from.
Once a week I’ll post a prompt to the FB Group Christiane Howards and they’ll also turn up in discussions, and book studies, and from fellow writer’s in the community.
Still feeling stuck?
That's why we're all here! Make sure to use the discussion boards and the FB groups so that you getting all that you can out of the Christiane Howards community!
We're all here for each other!
