Is it sheer laziness? Could you find a better word to describe precisely what you’re writing about? Or does the word have some significance for you?

During a rereading session note the words you repeat often. In your next journal writing session make a concentrated effort not to use any of those words, at all. You will feel some resistance. Force yourself to become more creative. Dig into what it is you’re writing, describing or emoting. Find another way to write it. Perhaps you will get at the truth more effectively.

Make a list of the words you’re overusing. Over the next week think about what those words really mean to you. Look them up in your dictionary, thesaurus, investigate them. What significance do you assign them?

I hope this entry gives you something to think about this week.

Heather
Journaling Tools – Go deeper and reach higher with hundreds of journal writing resources.

Life Journal Software

Post from: Blisstree

Overused Words

As the year draws to an end a journal writing prompt suited to the occasion might be best. Today write a journal entry as if you are writing it at the end of 2007 instead of 2006. Look back as if you’ve already lived through the year. Sum up your achievements and emotional highlights. Think of this exercise as writing your goals in reverse. Write about what you want to achieve as if you have already.

I hope you have fun with this journal writing challenge.

Post from: Blisstree

Freaky Friday #39

You might want to write something similar for each of your characters if you’re writing a novel. The exercise helps you get into the head of the characters by writing in their voices, from their perspective. Or you might just have a giggle as you read, like I’m doing now.

Post from: Blisstree

Character Diaries

One of the tips suggested for writing a more interesting newsletter was to keep a journal about your kids and then pick out the best parts to share in the yearly newsletter. Any journal makes an excellent resource if this is something you do each holiday season. If you intend to write up a family newsletter to circulate among those you love you might want to keep this in mind while writing in your journal.

Here are a couple more tips to help you write a better Christmas newsletter:
How to Write Your Own Christmas Newsletters This Holiday
How to Write a Christmas Newsletter

Post from: Blisstree

Plundering Your Journal

The tragic loss of his son inspired Clapton to write Tears in Heaven. Del Santo isn’t concerned how Clapton will view her writings.

Would you be concerned about the other people you might include in your memoirs? Please share in the comments section below.

Post from: Blisstree

Eric Clapton’s Ex-wife To Publish Memoirs

My research led me to his website, which I was delighted to discover has plenty of interesting and useful things for journal writers. Read Pennebarker’s tips for effective journal writing, learn more about his online research, or download the questionnaires to fill out later, and discover the world of words.

This website is highly recommended for serious journal writers and anyone interested in what makes people tick.

Post from: Blisstree

Psychology Website a Journal Writing Resource

While I may not agree with everything this lady does, it sounds like a great way to get more people writing in journals.

Post from: Blisstree

Dear Diary Day

Here’s that first entry. To keep things updated; I’m about to celebrate my 20th anniversary; my teens are 18 & 16; and my baby is now 19 months old.

The major highlight was the change to b5media last year and the step-up from me adding six entries each week. I hope you have enjoyed these entries. Please share any ideas or thoughts you have regarding journal writing in the comments section below.

Post from: Blisstree

First Anniversary

Today I want you to imagine you have just received the sum of one million dollars. It matters little how you imagine this came to be. What does matter is that you are suddenly endowed with this windfall. Spend time writing your reaction to this money coming into your life.

Each of us has seen people win lottery or other prizes. Today step into their shoes, just for a day, and express in your journal your initial reaction to receiving the money, how you feel the following day and then what you plan to do with this money. Make a list and a rough budget if you like.

Does it matter if the money comes as an inheritance or a prize or lottery? Spend time on this and test how your attitude towards money stands.

Post from: Blisstree

Freaky Friday #20

Although I have read two of Reichl’s other books, Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table and Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures at the Table, one thing has impressed me. Each time she writes about food the descriptions are fresh and feel new to me.

This can’t be easy. While reading these sumptuous meals on the page certainly goes down well for me I marvel how Reichl manages to keep my taste buds tingling. It would be easy to lapse into utter boredom, but this never happens.

I began to suspect Reichl may be an avid journal writer. Such fine detail escapes me about the other two books, but I noted her mention keeping a notebook at her side while dining at the restaurants. Another mention of a quote she’d written “in my journal” has me convinced.

What’s the secret to sparkling descriptions that leaves readers salivating for more? Work on them in your journal. Use your writer’s journal to work on descriptions, but only those you will need. As a restaurant reviewer Ruth Reichl would have many boring descriptions about food in her journal. But this is where she would take time to rewrite and rethink these humdrum details.

Use your own writer’s journal to hone your necessary descriptions for the writing you publish. Let me know if this entry helps you with your own journal writing by using the comments section below.

Post from: Blisstree

Delicious Descriptions