My Writing Ramblings: Keeping a Writing Journal

I can’t believe how quickly this week has gone. I can’t believe we’re already into the second week of March. Time seems to be going doubly fast at the moment. My shifts at work have had a little bit of a say in that I guess. Five, twelve hour shifts in a row does have a tendency to suck my time away. As a result, I have not got as much done this week as I had hoped but no matter. It’s a new week and a new to-do list.

Due to work, I’ve only managed to do a couple of days on preparation and planning of my novel. Going by the fact that I wasn’t managing anything previously, it’s a large step. I am seeing it as a positive. One thing I have been enjoying this week is my writing journal. I have always tried to jot down my ideas for things when I think about them. I do this mostly because I don’t trust myself to remember it (and that has happened more times than I care to admit.)

About a year ago, I did a writing course who encouraged the students to keep a writing journal. It was one of the elements of the course that I most enjoyed (and another excuse to go out and buy a new notebook.) Once I had finished the course though, I got out of the habit of keeping one.

This week, I have brought myself a notebook and I have started writing down ideas, links to news and internet articles that interest me, my favourite quotes and favourite words. I’ve even written names that I’ve heard and liked and conversations that I have.. cough… overheard. It’s been so great to have everything in one place and it’s interesting to go through it once in a while and see all the different things I’ve written.

My writing journal is one big mess but it’s been so helpful to me as a writer this week as I’ve even had a couple of thoughts about the novel that have gone in there. I will occasionally use the notes app on the phone (I wouldn’t be without it.) I know a lot of people that will use this for all their notes but, like my love of physical books, there is something about putting ideas down with a pen onto paper that just feels so inspiring.

On a separate note, I’ve also been using an app called HabitBull. I’ve made a note of all the things I need to do daily and it reminds me. It’s helping me to form a writing habit and it’s working.

Until next week writing people.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.