January 30, 2008

Even when you’re excited about a writing project, do you have trouble getting started in the morning? Over the years, the one thing that has consistently helped me is to journal first. Sometimes I’ve used lovely bound journals. Often I use my password protected Life Journal software on my laptop. I love its search feature–it helps me retrieve my ideas later after brainstorming solutions to plotting or personal problems.

I don’t just sit down and start to journal. There’s a ritual involved for most journal writers, me included. I start with hot chocolate, a padded rocking chair, and reading a short devotional. Lately I’ve added the sounds of violin music in the background, the hauntingly beautiful (and relaxing) strains of Joshua Bell, especially his “Romance of the Violin” and the soundtrack from “Ladies in Lavender.”

If you’d like to journal, but have trouble getting the juices flowing in the morning, see “Create a Journal Writing Ritual” for ideas. If you give it a try for a few weeks, I predict journaling will become a practice critical to your writing output–and enjoyment!