I don't use journaling in the traditional sense. The author of the cards Inner Outings intended them for a personal journey.
I use them for my characters. Sometimes I'm stuck and need a little push. I'll think about the character and where she/he is at, draw a card and respond to it for my character. Sometimes it is the little nudge that I need.
What do you do when you need a little nudge?
I should probably start thinking on this question because I can always use a little nudge.
ReplyDeleteLee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
I know it helps me get out of a rut.
DeleteI was a journaler for years for my personal processing and journey, but for writing I ASLO use it to process characters... to explore plot possibilities, and to write scenes that never make the book but help me understand characters and events that are important to the on page progress.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you use it too. Sometimes there are little nuances that you don't realize until you delve just a little deeper.
DeleteI use journalling cards when I do scrapbook pages. This means writing something about the photos on a card which is either part of the design, or can be tucked away out of sight. I did a big wedding album and it was useful to be able to put everyone's names on a card tucked in behind each group photo. You think you'll remember everyone, but time goes by.... (I have 2 'Ls' in my journalling, because to my Irish spelling eyes with only one it sounds like journ-ale-ing!!)
ReplyDeleteJourn-ale-ing sounds pretty good too. = )
DeleteThat is a neat idea! I used to write in journals a lot, but blogging takes up my time now.
ReplyDeleteBlogging does take a lot of time. But it is so enjoyable.
DeleteThis is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Valerie Nunez and the Flying Platypi
Interesting topic, Jai. Recently, at a writer's workshop on voice, the speaker suggested that journaling helps us download our 'author' voice and frees us to write in our character's voice. The more I think about this, the more it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI kept a journal in high school and those spiral notebooks are my prized possession these days. They are the only material thing I'd grab if there was a fire. But now I don't journal, but I do write a lot of "exploratory stories" about and from the point of view of my characters. At a writer's conference, an author suggested to take a difficult character fishing and then you would understand them. Good advice.
ReplyDeleteI keep a sort of writing journal where I record inspirational quotes and turns of phrase I think of off the cuff that are worth remembering. When I'm stalled, I can skim the journal and come up with an idea or a unique way of saying something that usually gets me going again.
ReplyDelete~VR Barkowski
I love journaling. My brother and I just discussed how it can help nudge your character along.
ReplyDeleteJenn @Scribbles From Jenn
When I am stuck I make a list. A list of everything about the person and place. I journal daily for my practice writing.
ReplyDelete