Yesterday I mentioned how I was throwing out some morning pages and night journals. Just in case anyone wanted to know what exactly makes up a night journal, I thought I’d write an entry about the topic. I’m pretty sure I got the idea from another of Julia Cameron’s books, but I can’t recall which one now. The idea was to spend a short time, perhaps only writing one page, to recap the day. I tend to list achievements and any significant event. I also jot down ideas for visual journal pages, jewellery I’m designing or anything else creative. Often some of my best ideas occur to me right at that moment of settling down for the night. Sometimes I’m way too tired for writing anything much. Some entries end with the scrawl of my pen down the page.

I do enjoy writing before going to sleep, too. Something about that act helps me take those last thoughts for the day and put them somewhere away from my mind. It’s also a signal to my partner that I am about to go to snuggle up for the night. Read into that whatever you like. It’s also a good way for me to see that I have done something, no matter how small. As a busy wife and mother it can feel too much like you’re busy but not really achieving anything. Listing what happened is one way to prove that untrue.

I hope you find some use for a night journal. If you already keep one please leave a comment in the section below, or on any other journal writing related topic.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Morguefile by Kevin Rosseel, Washington, DC.

Post from: Blisstree

Keeping a Night Journal

Not listening is something I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of at one time or another. Make a point of listening more keenly than usual just for one day. Note in your journal everything you can hear from where you sit to write. Remind yourself throughout the day to tune into the sounds around you. Focus on limiting the things you say. Be open to receiving sounds and words from others instead of filling up the air with your own sounds.

Turn off the radio or music you normally have blaring. I think it was Julia Cameron who suggested in her book The Artist’s Way an entire week of no reading, radio, TV or internet. While one week may be a bit extreme, one day couldn’t possibly hurt. Write about your experience in your journal. What did you hear? What did you discover? What did people have to say when you weren’t jumping in with your comments every few moments? Work on listening as a habit and write your discoveries in your journal.

Please share any thoughts about this journal writing prompt in the comments section below.

Heather

Post from: Blisstree

Are You Really Listening?

Today someone from a forum I’m in was kind enough to share an article, Creating a Treasure Map, which is very like the exercise by Julia Cameron. Actually, I found the descriptions in this article more thorough. I hope you use this one for ideas if you’re still thinking about writing your goals for 2008.

Heather

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Your Treasure Map

Looks like a great place to find prompts.

Heather
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First 50 Words

But really, all you need to do is decide you want to work on creativity and explore that in your journal. Books are great and give you guidance and ideas, but simply writing your thoughts on the process and cycle of creativity is equally rewarding. It really only takes determination and the decision to make the topic of interest in your journal.

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Exploring Creativity

So, today I’m saying exactly the same thing. Go somewhere different, take a different route, visit a new store, stop and play with the toys in the toy shop or feel the textiles, fabrics and yarns at the craft supply store. Try and see things through the eyes of a child or through new eyes by pretending this is your first visit to a place you in fact know well.

Make sure you take your journal to make notes as you go, or save it up to write later when you can relax.

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Journal Writing Adventures

David LaMotte, a songwriter, gives an excellent description of how he uses Morning Pages on his website in his advice to aspiring songwriters. Scroll down the page until you find the heading Warming Up: Free Writes.

I used Morning Pages consistently for over four years and found them a powerful creativity tool. While writing those three pages in longhand faithfully each morning I increased my regular writing output significantly. I don’t agree they’re for everyone, though. I do think you should try them for a good three months just to see if they suit you.

Although Morning Pages are considered journal writing they’re more a way to clear your headspace for the start of the day. Still, all journal writing is a tool to help you live a better life. Perhaps Morning Pages will be exactly what you need.

Heather

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What Are Morning Pages?

I did take away the practice of Morning Pages with me; more on that in a later entry, but have stopped doing those since I discovered I was pregnant last year. I look forward to getting back into that habit once my baby is more settled in his sleeping patterns.

While The Artist’s Way is a structured and even severe introduction to Cameron’s view on creativity, The Sound of Paper is far gentler on the reader. With this book the author assumes you’ve already established the habits of Morning Pages, Artist’s Dates and Walks which I think were introduced in Vein of Gold, please correct me if I’m wrong. This book softly urges you to stay with these practices, not to give up and to continue creating whatever art you’ve come to call your own.

I found myself romanced by the short essays, wanting to create more writing for its own sake, feeling a welling desire to lift my pencils and paintbrushes again. I couldn’t rush the reading of this book. I needed to take in and digest each simple thought. Although I didn’t actually pick up a pen and attempt any of the exercise at the end of each essay, they were simple and achievable. I’d recommend the book for the simplicity of those exercises, most of them requiring little more than making a list.

Although there’s nothing really new in this book I would recommend it to anyone interested in refreshing their creativity or who is facing a block in their work.

Heather

Post from: Blisstree

The Sound of Paper