Journaling for the Creative Mind: What do I write?

[Zulmara Maria]

Day 7: What do I write?

Look for material everywhere…comics, quotes, poems, pictures, articles, headlines. What ever resonates with you, works. I find that for non-writers to get started, the more visuals the better, and sometimes, just copying down favorite quotes, favorite ideas, or even headlines are fun ways to get started. Once you have hit your stride, you are ready for the transformation.

For example, if you want to lose weight, write about your ideal weight, what you will look like, the last time you were that weight, why it is important for you to get back to that weight and how it will transform your life.

If you want to increase your creativity, write about the perfect creative life, what it means to be living a writerly life or an artistic life, what will be the benefits to your life, how will flowing creativity help you in what you are trying to achieve.

As journaling goes, go with the flow…there is no right or wrong. There is no magical number of pages, that is why journals come in all shapes and sizes. Some people just write affirmations, others want to write everything that happened. Whatever works for you is what works.
What have you found that works for you? How do you stay motivated? What advice do you have for those who are new to journaling or have not found it very successful?

REMEMBER to post for a chance to win...new winner chosen tomorrow!!!

ADELANTE!!!!

Zulmara

An act which transforms
Is a transformative act

Perspectives provide the impetus
For which the transformative act
Can be the catalyst

Enthusiasm provides the foundation
Upon which the transformative act
Can be achieved
What transformative act have you engaged in lately?

[Zulmara Maria]

Gracias...Veronica...you are too cool and I hope we get a chance to meet in person one day...you have spunk...I love artists...we are all so wonderfully diverse, fun, and have our own way of seeing life...

YES!!! Blogging is journaling...

ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara

[Veronica Escudero]

Not at all. I just thought that was rather comical because when I was in school professors tried to make me do sketches before I painted, and that isn't the way I work, so I would have to go into their office and explain my process. Then they finally let me just begin to paint without any preliminary work.

Bye the way, I was thinking about this journaling thing. I am journaling! I'm blogging left and right, so Zulmara your wishes have been answered.

Your posts are fun Zulmara - keep up the incredible work.

Take Care
Veronica

[Zulmara Maria]

Hola Veronica,

Not contrary at all...I just suggested a sketch journal because that is what I suggest to my Visual Learners when I assign journaling. Since we don't all think in words, I let my visual students journal in pictures or sketches to help them connect with the acitivty and I allow them to use quotes that resonnate with them if they cannot think of the words themselves.

I find that this works well for my visual learners as a pre-writing activity so they can gather their thoughts and ideas for the writing assignment.

Sorry, I did not mean to sound presumptuous.

ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara

[Veronica Escudero]

I don't wish to be conrary Zulmara but do you know that I don't own a sketch journal? So I thought it was kind of humorous for me to journal. Just face it you're a writer. We're all made different. All I see is color and design. I don't dream in words.

Although actually, I think I'm having fun in these forums. I love controversial issues - take care

[Zulmara Maria]

Gracias, mi amiga...journaling is my life as a writer...it keeps my ideas flowing and gives a space for all the craziness in my head...

ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara

[Milena Gomez]

You are the cool one Zulmi, this is awesome!

[Zulmara Maria]

Thanks for posting, Veronica,

Journaling takes many forms and you may want to get a sketch journal and connect your journaling to your art..and start small and use lots of pics...and let quotes speak for you...start small and soon, you will be writing volumns...

ADELANTE!!!

[Veronica Escudero]

Hi Zulmara - Blogs are new to me. I find it very very difficult to express myself. I'm definitely not a writer, but I have commited myself to writing blogs this year and see how it goes.

Not only that, I don't even enjoy journaling! Can you believe that? What in the world am I writing for right now.... Well, I think it's time to express myself that's all.

I think that I have always used my art as a form of expression and that's it. Actually it speaks for me. I suppose that's how God made me.

Personality wise, I'm very spunky and gregarious, but again I don't like to write.....oh well....

[Zulmara Maria]

que cool are you...YES...I use my journal for transformations and getting grounded as well...

thanks for sharing...

ADELANTE!!!

Zulmara

[Bea]

My journaling consists of a grief/healing journal, an art journal (offshoot of the healing one) and one with quotes, stories, pictures, and other things that mean something just to me. Sometimes, I journal often, sometimes I don't at all. I don't feel like we have to do it everyday. If you have nothing to say, what you DO say is forced and not real. I went through that stage. Never again. I am also going to start a gratitude journal because in these days and times, it's so important to be grateful for what we have because it could be much much worse for all of us.
I'm going through a lot and using my journal to sift through what needs to change and what needs to be the same.