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Starting a Journal:
Here are some common journaling techniques (in general these can be used whether you are writing it online or by hand):
Chronicle or Diary style - This is probably the most common form of journal keeping. The writer simply uses the journal as a way to record what happened over the course of the day, week, month, etc. It can be a sparse detailing of events, a meandering reflection of the events in a person’s life, or focus on a single event in the writer’s day. It can be used to improve writing, release frustration, dissect important decisions, relax, and can be saved as a history of your life.
Using Prompts - Journals that are used to improve writing, for relaxation, reflection or just to keep the mind sharp often use prompts. A prompt can be a quote, picture, phrase, question- anything used as the inspiration for the piece. (An example of a prompt might be an anonymous photo ripped from a magazine or the lead-in, “One time when I was nervous was…”) A different prompt is chosen for each entry and used as a starting point. There are many books and websites which contain random prompts for people to use to spark their writing. This can be particularly effective in a group (or online community) where everyone starts with the same prompt but ends up with completely different pieces of writing.
Dream Journals - Some people keep journals of their dreams. By recording dreams people often try to gain insight into their subconscious or be inspired for a work of fiction. Dream recording can also be relaxing, meditative, and is thought by many to feel more creative and free form.
Once you’ve picked your journal style, here are some tips for getting started:
Choose your journal - Whether it’s a simple spiral notebook, has leather covers or is contained on a computer disk, serious journal writers agree that choosing the journal that best fits your needs is an important step. If you’ve decided to use a notebook, what type is most comfortable to you? Will you decorate the cover? Will you use a special pen? If you’ve decided to use a website as your journal, what is it going to look like? What’s the format?
Make time to write in it - You won’t get any benefits out of a journal if you are not using it. Schedule some time if you have to- a half hour every evening could be enough. Even when you feel like you have nothing to write, it’s good to try to get something down. Remember, the physical act of writing has a calming, relaxing affect on the mind.
Keep your journal in sight - Unless you think your privacy is at stake when you leave your journal out, it can really help keep the contemplative thoughts flowing all day long. A glance at your journal will not only remind you to write in it, but will also remind you to take a look around you and reflect on what is happening.
Keep it spontaneous - If you are writing for an online audience, you may want to have to check spelling and do some polishing, but in general a journal should be completely spontaneous. Let the writing flow out without too much concern for technicalities like grammar and spelling. Don’t go back and change any content. Journals are about capturing the exact mood and emotions of one specific moment in time.
Go back and Read - Even if they embarrass you right now, go back through your journals and read what you have written when the time feels right. Maybe it won’t be for 20 years so hold onto those books. Journals can be a great journey into the distant (or not-so-distant) past. If you’re looking to improve your writing, go back and read an entry that you wrote last week and see if it had the effect you were trying to create. Underline words or phrases that you particularly like. Your talent for capturing a moment may surprise you.
Online Journaling (“Blogging”):
Online journaling can be a lot trickier than just picking up a pencil and starting to write. If you have some knowledge of computers and programming or writing HTML, you can create a very personal look for your journal. If computers aren’t your interest, there are sites that will let you start a journal through them (sometimes for a fee) for which you only need to know how to type.
The most important difference between online journaling and a personal journal is this: Anything posted on an online journal is open to the public.
An online journal carried many more risks with it than a written journal that you are keeping just for yourself. Think about these factors when you are making your entries:
Are you giving away too much personal information, making it easy for someone to rip you off? It’s not just about posting your ATM pin anymore - people are learning to piece together personal information in ingenious ways. References to your home address, phone number, place of work, and other bits of personal information can lead people right to you.
Are you going to hurt or upset someone with your post? A good rule of thumb is to ask permission of anyone whose name you are about to post - however unimportant the context seems to you. If you know for sure it will make them mad, don’t post it or use a fake name.
What is your purpose? Many people get caught up in trying to entertain their regular readers. People can get trapped spending hours and hours trying to make their “blogs” more interesting or edgy. If your original purpose was for your own benefit or to keep a select few loved ones informed of your life don’t worry about what those other readers are thinking. Stick to your purpose and journal for yourself.
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