As we discussed in this post, reading extensively is an absolute nonnegotiable for writers. Practicing escapism is a powerful skill for writers. While being grounded is important for real life, escapism is your way to access the deep well of your creativity. A writing journal is a fantastic way to dig into this
Yes, as writers, we live in our heads. But it’s a great place to be. It’s your personal space. Fill it with all the things that inspire you and help you create.
Writing, listening to music, watching shows, and playing video games are great ways to escape. Sometimes all you need is some creative enjoyment. But how can you leverage this escapism to really learn from it?
The answer: a writing journal. A writing journal is a place where you can brainstorm all the insights you gain from what you consume.
Here’s your complete guide to starting a writing journal.
- Find a notebook that suits your purposes. Preferably something you can take everywhere, slip into a tote bag, backpack, or laptop bag easily. If you want it pretty, pick something like this. Or maybe you want something mysterious and dark academia like this. Or maybe design your own!
- Use it every time you read, watch a show, or listen to music. Write something about what you just enjoyed. Here are some ideas.
- Write a short poem or haiku inspired by the music you just heard.
- List the things that you admire most about the book.
- Write an outline of the plot and study it. Is it the classic three-act play structure, the classic hero’s journey, or some other structure?
- Pick a character and study them. Does the character change, and if so, how?
- Make a playlist about the book, one song for each chapter, and list them in your journal.
- Discuss which character is most like you, and why.
- Analyze if there is anything you would change about the book.
- Make a fancast of the book characters and defend your choices. Try to vary all your fancasts.
- Study the author’s style. What makes them unique? Are they similar to another author you know? Do they seem like a combination of several writer’s voices? (E.g., this author sounds like a combination of Ilona Andrews, Laini Taylor, and Christina Lauren).
- Write a short book review.
- Write a (funny) one-sentence summary of the book that will confuse people with no context.
- What is one thing you learned from the book? How can you apply it to your life?
- Is there something the author states that you disagree with? Do you agree with the life philosophies they present?
- Did the book challenge you or change your mind about something? How so?
- Did you spot any plot holes? Are they a problem?
- Analyze the protagonist, antagonist, and side characters. How do you like their development?
These are some pretty good ideas. If you have any other ideas, drop them in the comments!
Now that you have your journal, start the habit of pausing after reading, watching a movie, or listening to a song. Dig deep into what makes it so good (or bad but still addictive, wink wink). Not only will these exercises help you become a better writer by studying the structure of writing, but it will also give you new ideas. Revisit your journal to find the ideas that intrigued you.
And that’s it! Get started with your journal today!
Sending love,
Anastasia xoxo