~
The distant fires
covered our valley in smoke
writing clears the haze
~
When I recently wrote a guest post for the International Christian Fiction Writer’s blog, I had no idea so many other writers believed in the power of journal writing as much as I do.
I’m honored to have this article republished as a guest post by Danielle Hanna, who has written a book about this topic.
I’d love it if you’d pop in and take a peek at the lovely way she presented it. As a coffee loving writer, who journals, I adore how it looks—yummy.
Let me know what you think. And by the way, have you ever kept a journal?
Journal Writing Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
Here’s the link: Journaling is Good for the Author’s Heart, Soul, and Writing
Congratulations! Can’t wait to go have a look! And yes, before there was a blog, there was definitely a journal, and still is. Much of what I write is birthed of something I jot down throughout the day. 🙂
Thank you, Marisa. Journals are a well of inspiration for many kinds of writing: memoir, novels, blogs. Poetry is also a form of writing that can be “birthed” from journals. Blessings as you continue to draw on Christ and fill your well. ❀
Wendy, thank you for sharing your thoughts on the joys of journalling. Congratulations too on the inclusion of this article in another journal. Yes, writing your thoughts down spontaneously, by putting pen to paper, opens all your channels to a deep inner knowing and a overflowing of grace. The awareness that results from scripting your dreams and you destiny will become a strong agent for transformation. Enjoy diving into the great water of words.
Mary, I love your phrase—“Enjoy diving into the great water of words.” Not many things are as cozy as opening up my journal and picking up my favorite pen in the early hours of the morning. So glad to hear that you also journal. ❀
Great post, Wendy. Journaling is very cathartic and it helps get things into the realm of the concrete instead of the abstract. That in turn stops the “what if’s” and help us deal with whatever is troubling us. Love and hugs, N 🙂 <3
Natalie, I agree it “helps us deal with whatever is troubling us.” <3 And to go back later and read about specific prayers and how they were answered is a bonus blessing. ❀ Hurray that you made it to your vacation and back safely. 🙂
I’ve journaled since 5th grade, when I received my very first diary with a little lock and key. That was in 1972! I started out just listing events, but even in that little diary, I started writing feelings, reactions, and vivid descriptions of events. I’ve been journaling ever since. I have to say, without journaling at some particularly difficult times in my life, I fear I would not have made it through as a sane person. I discovered at some point that, without realizing it, I was writing letters to God essentially, and so they were prayers of my true heart. Just getting those thoughts and feelings and fears out on paper helped me more than I can say. Often by the end of my writing, I would have my answer on how to deal with some things, how my thinking was skewed and not of God’s will for me, and how to get on the right path once again. I’ve tried journaling on a computer or my iPad, but I feel my best journaling comes from writing with pen and paper. There is something true that comes out of my pen through my hand, arm and all the way to my heart. It is hard to explain, but makes a difference to me. I’ve advised many people over the years, who were especially going through a difficult time, to journal about it all, because it helps. It helps to get things on paper and it helps to go back and see how God has answered our thoughts and prayers. I love your post because it seems we’re on the same page about journaling! God bless you Wendy!
Elaine, I love your description for how you journal. Yes, we’re on the same page, a paper page penned by hand to a God who cares and knows our thoughts before we even write them down. And in our writing we learn the truth about us and our relationship with Him. God’s blessings to you too, dear friend. ❀
Yes I journal! I have many many filled notebooks.Wonderful post Wendy!
Thank you, Rhonda. ❀ I’ll bet your journal entries sometimes include lovely sketches.
Well not so much in my writing journal.
BTW, big blog post coming out tomorrow about my ordeal this past week. Thank you again for all your love and support my friend!
You’re so welcome, Rhonda. I was touched by the kind responses of blogging friends to the prayer request. We were experiencing smoky days around here at the time you were going through your ordeal. I can’t even imagine how scary it must have been for all of you. xo
I am so tickled your post is making the rounds … God is so good. I wrote an article once that was published in several locations … just made me praise the Lord! 🙂
Shelli, I would love to hire you to go over all my posts. You are such a talented lady. I’m slowly getting braver. I’m guest posting on a lovely blog next month for writers who garden—I’ve already sent my pictures and article for it. It’s so much scarier writing for others. But now I’m getting into it. I admire how your work has been published so many times. Praise the Lord, indeed. ❀
Great post Wendy I need to start journaling once more.
Thank you, Kath. I hope you find what works best for you. Some days my writing isn’t legible, other days I just jot down a verse, and on the poignant entries I fill up a few pages. ❀ Blessings.
Fantastic Wendy!
Thank you, Marylou. 🙂
Yes, I keep journals. Thank God for that practice – whole periods of my life would have been lost if I hadn’t made notes in my journal right away.
Cynthia, I can relate to your words. I’ve also been journal writing for over 31 years, and so much is recorded in those pages that I could never remember on my own. 🙂