HERE I GO AGAIN!
[image error]Vaughn Hardacker here: In January of every year I make a resolution that this year I’m going to keep a Journal–Riiight. I do okay for a week or two, but then wonder why I journal mundane stuff (my life is full of mundane stuff). For example, no one cares that I bought gasoline for my truck today–in fact, other than the financial impact, I don’t care. Still I try.
I recently read a blog on keeping a journal written by a freelance writer. The blog stated that this writer actually keeps five (5), that’s right, five journals they are:
A Primary Bullet Journal: Basically this is your brain committed to paper. In it you record (1) your thoughts, (2) your-to-do-lists, (3) your ideas, (4) your notes, and (6) your creativity.
A Blog-only Journal: this is a journal specifically related to blogging (the Primary Journal is a fun one, this one allows you to: (1) Map out monthly editorial calendars for each blog. (2) keep a one-page post tracker for an at-a-glance view of overall monthly blogging, (3) Map out blog business plans and development plans, (4) manage blog to-do lists.
A Standard Journal: This is one in which you record daily activities, both writing and non-writing related to include: (1) How you feel on any given day, (2) News, (3) politics, (4) Relationships. This is your place to say whatever you want or need to get out of your system.
A Dream Journal: This one is kept on your nightstand to allow you to record that great idea that came to you in a dream. You know that one that you recall as being great–only you can’t remember what it was.
Sketch Journal: Here’s where you can express your self in more creative ways
The last two are more about retention of dreams and daydreams, however the first three are important. They afford you a way of planning your activities and are relevant to writing and blogging.
This year I’ve made a concerted effort to do a Primary Bullet Journal and a Blog-only journal. One of my writing habits is that once I complete a project I’m tabula rasa (which is defined as: the mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions ). Once I come up with a plot idea I can hammer away with a goal of 1,000 words per day. My greatest fear about this is that I may get so busy journaling that I won’t have time to write (I know that would be the case if I tried to keep five of them). In my next post, I’ll update everyone on how I’m doing.
