The first rule of journaling is…

Before I was fortunate enough to be a full-time author, I used to be a freelance writer. I got my start in freelance journalism as a blogger. And blogging, as we know, is a form of journal-writing, itself. At one point in my freelance career, I was asked to teach a class in journal-writing. It was a lot of fun. I actually taught that course off and on for a year.

You know what the first rule of journaling is?

*waits*

Nope, not giving you any hints. Keep guessing.

*winks*

Okay, okay, I’ll have mercy on you. I used to ask my classes that first thing. “What’s the first rule of journaling? Anybody know?” They’d sit there kind of in shock, each and every one of them afraid to answer. It always gave me a teeny, tiny chuckle, because I knew they were there for encouragement and the pop quiz really heightened their emotions for just a sec. Then I’d tell them the answer and watch their faces fill with smiles.

Answer: there are NO rules! Journaling can be anything you want it to be, need it to be, imagine it to be. Writing in your diary, your log, your blank book is one of life’s precious luxuries. Paper and pen are so inexpensive, but what the experience gives to your soul is so rich. Journaling is good for you.  Just do it.

It might not come as a surprise, then, that the characters in Bird After Bird are prolific letter-writers and journal-keepers. I won’t spoil it for you, but at one point the main character, Wren, picks out a blank book with a bird motif on the cover, and sets to work clearing out the cobwebs of her own mind.

Just for kicks, to celebrate the upcoming release of my first romance novel, I decided to design Wren’s journal and give it away. Only problem was, I couldn’t decide on a look that I liked best.  So…I did what any gal would do.  I asked my friends. Making matters worse, they asked me to make up three *additional* designs!  Thanks, gang!

So now I have a total of eight journals that could fit the bill of Wren’s journal from Bird After Bird.

I’ll be giving them all away. Each will go to someone on my email list.

The only way you will be entered to win is if you are on that list. Sign up here.

I hope you win. And even if you don’t, I hope you journal.