1. Number your pages as you go, and keep a ‘Table of Contents’ at the front of your journal. (Bonus tip: Use simple symbols to categorize your Contents)
This has been transformational for me. I used to feel like I needed a different journal for different types of writing: an idea journal, a teaching/message/study journal, a songwriting journal, a journal for prayers, one for poems… etc. I’d lose track of where I scribbled down a verse or chorus or melody idea. I’d lose track of an important conversation I journaled about and wanted to revisit. I’d lose my Christmas gift idea list. It was maddening!
First, I tried post-it notes to keep track of important things. But that still cost me a lot of “digging time”, trying to dig through all of the posted pages.
Now, I simply know to jot down the page number and “title” of an important page(s) in the front Table of Contents.
I doodle symbols to categorize the TYPE of writing so I can quickly scan my Contents to find it. Not everything has a symbol! Just the following. But everything VERY important is listed in the Table of Contents, even lists such as a Christmas gift idea list.
*a lightbulb = idea
*a music note = anything song or lyric-related
2. Think of every journaling opportunity as an opportunity to write more beautifully or creatively.
In other words, for busy mamas like me or for anyone who wishes they could designate more time to Creative Writing, don’t discount the words you DO write. From prayers to documented conversations, to ideas or thoughts, to memories, to bulleted lists, don’t waste any words. Commit to sharpening your writing skills with this one simple challenge: Make it Beautiful. I could get way more specific with “how-to’s” for this, but for now...
That ONE TIP alone WILL improve your writing. I believe it has improved my writing.
Whether you use and enjoy these two tips or not,
KEEP WRITING!
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SCRIPTURE MEMORY: the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of it works for us