Journals Are Not Just for Kids

I have always kept a journal. I kept a journal before I even knew I wanted to be a writer. I kept a journal before I could even really write.

My first journal was called a diary. It was given to me as a Christmas present from I don't even know whom. I was young, age eight. I didn't have much to write in this said diary. I wrote little things like went shopping. Mom bought me a new purse. Yes, I loved purses way back then, too. I would write that I spent the day with my cousin. I would write about playing with my dog. I would also write about how much I hated my parents because they said no to this or that request.

As I got older my journal, my diary began to revolve with me. Soon I began to write about my hopes and dreams. Then I became aware of what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a writer. I read many how to become a writer articles and books. Most of these recommended writing every day, even if it was a line or two. Thus, a journal was the perfect tool for this daily practice.

I then began keeping more than one journal. One journal was still my diary. In this journal, I wrote about daily events as well as some of my hopes and dreams. But in the other journals, I started stories, I wrote poems, I doodled, I became inspired.

I still write in my journals today. I recommend this practice to writers and non-writers. But when I speak about journals many people do not know where to begin. Here's some tips I have found useful on the subject.

First, find a nice book to use as your journal. Personally, I like the ones that are hardbound and have a wired bounding, so turning the pages are easy.

Second, buy some nice colorful pens to use when writing in your journal. You could even color coordinate your writing according to your moods.

Thirdly and most importantly remember anything goes in this journal. You don't have to share it with anyone, if you don't want to share it. It is your words, your random thoughts, your hopes, your dreams, your stories, your poetry, your music, your whatever you want it to be book.