The words "writer's journal" can mean something different to every writer. Some of us use one to jot down ideas and characters. Others use theirs to keep a detailed account of their days. Still others, well, you get the picture. There are many books and articles on the subject, each one giving you the details for keeping one. But what kind?
I've read many books and articles on the subject. "Keep a writing journal," they tell me, "it'll help improve your writing." So I would try to keep one. I'd go and buy a new blank journal. And I'd promise myself that this time, I would write in it faithfully every day. Maybe I'd make it a week, or two, before my journal would be tossed aside like yesterday's news.
When I first starting writing, over 25 years ago, I've kept what I called an idea journal. I'd buy one of those composition books, the kind you used in high school English class, and I would write my story ideas and prompts in them. I never really had an order for putting these things into the books; they just went in rather willy-nilly. Over the years, those books have evolved into two separate books; one for story ideas and the other for writing prompts.
My writing prompt journal is filled with single sentence 'muse-inspirers'. These are things I've heard, read, or have just popped into my mind at the oddest time. Very simple.
My story idea journal is a bit more complicated. When I get an idea for a story or novel, I write it down on a blank page. It doesn't have to be a complete plot, just a few sentences about the story and maybe how I see the ending. Then when I have the time, I answer a few questions I hope will spark my story to life.
1. Who is my main character? Even if all I have is a first name, it's better than nothing.
2. What does he/she look like? I only need a basic description right now; age, height, weight, hair/eye/skin color, build, unusual features. As I said, very basic. The rest can be filled in later.
3. Why is this story happening to my character? Is my character a wimp who receives the power to turn the tables on his tormentors? Is she a wealthy lady with a secret past? It doesn't have to be more than a line or two, but it should me give some insight as to who they are.
4. Who are my secondary characters, their names and descriptions, and their reasons for being in the story? It helps me understand the main character if I see who he/she keeps as a friend and who he/she is fighting against.
5. What is the basic plot? No need to be more than one sentence for each part. I really only need to know where I'm going, because getting there is half the fun. I also like to know the time and place and some idea of the setting. Is it the past, present, or future; on this planet or somewhere else?
6. What is the title? Do you have one in mind, or is this "short story #8"? My titles usually don't come to me until I'm done writing my story, though occasionally the title is what sparks the tale.
While this may look like a lot of work, it really isn't. A good story, one that grabs you and won't let go, will give you all this and more before you ever put pen to paper. It's up to you to write it all down, before you forget. I've had, and lost, some wonderful story ideas because I thought I would remember them until I got home. Now I wouldn't be caught dead without my story journal.
I was so glad when they started making composition books with color covers. Now I have composition books in different colors in many places; one by my bed, in my office, the living room, my purse and in my van. I never know where my muse is going to pop a great idea into my head and I don't want to miss it when it comes.
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About the Author
Dawn Arkin is an author on
http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Fiction Writing. Her portfolio can be found at
http://darkin.Writing.Com/ so stop by and read for a while. One Writer's Writing Journal
