My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1 (KJV)
Psalm 45:1 is my favorite verse. To me, this verse is about bragging about what God has done in our lives. Is that not what we want, to glorify Him in our stories?
Locked Diary
My first vivid experience as a writer was as a pre-teen with my small, locked diary. As a preteen, I wrote about everything and nothing. As an adult, my journaling has changed. Gone are the days of a locked diary. However, I have seen that they still sell them on Amazon, but they don’t look like the ones from the 80s. My journals have become something deeper since my youth: notable events of the day, verses, words, and even perhaps dreams if I feel they need to be analyzed.
For those who journal frequently, the page reveals a great deal of secrets, as if someone has spilled an inkwell.
Sometimes, maybe they should be under lock and key. Hmm.. something to consider, lol. But then again, we are talking about unlocking stories. Yes, there are stories that need to be kept close to our hearts. However, some need to be given wings so that they can help others to soar.
Journaling Reborn
In 2020, along with drawing, journaling came back to the forefront. I hadn’t journaled or drawn in over a decade. I’m not sure why I stopped. But in 2020 I needed an outlet, and both helped immensely and have now become the catalyst for my published books. I’m sure you are familiar with the saying: good readers make good writers. I believe as well that good writing comes from journaling. It’s a great way to hone your skills as a storyteller, to note what God is doing, and to capture a story or two that he wants you to share.
Don’t Leave Home Without a Pen and a Notebook
Journaling to me is the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is an important component of a writer’s journey. My advice: don’t leave home without a pen and a notebook, or if you are like me, Notes on my phone. Which works great when I’m on my bike trips. My problem is I write a lot, so usually I print off my journal from Notes instead of copying it all freehand. The important thing is to keep writing! Use those writing muscles much like a gifted artist needs to. When I picked my pencil back up, it took time for me to get my hand and eye coordination back. I even shook for a while because of decades of inactivity. Writing, I believe, is the same way. Keep honing in on that skill, and journaling is a great way to do that.
Do you journal? Have you found journaling to be helpful for you?
Resource for Journaling, Unlocking Your Stories
How to Organize Your Journals Into Book Content
Recommended Reading
Emotional Beats How to Covert Your Writing into Palpable Feelings on Amazon
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