What your Diary/Journal will tell you

What your Diary/Journal will tell you

BLOG SESSION

January 20th, 2018

Writers ~ Here we are again with an exciting Blog Session for you today.  Hopefully you have your Diary and/or Journal so that you can make a note of today's Session.

If you are new to our Blog Sessions, we welcome you, and we suggest that you make sure you Bookmark the Blog, and if you'd like to receive the Blog Sessions as they are published, all you need to do is sign up to "Follow by Email".   You can sign up by looking in the far right-hand column where there is a space for you to input your Email Address, then click the "Submit" button.  You will then promptly receive each Blog Session as it is published.

Tonight we want to talk about your writing, and how having a Diary on hand can assist you in a way that benefits not only your book writing projects, but also your frame of mind and your well-being.  We're going to start out with the benefits of having your Diary and using it on a daily basis.

First off, if you have your brand new Diary for this year, then you are ready to learn a few tips that will also help you with your book writing.  If you choose, you can also have a Diary dedicated solely to your book writing, and you can keep a separate diary for your daily thoughts, events, activities, and revelations concerning your life.

What is the difference between a personal Daily Diary, and a Diary dedicated to your book writing?

A personal Daily Diary is used to write in each day faithfully.  You can write in your personal daily about any dreams you may have; your goals; the events that take place in your life; your adventures; the people you meet; your daily thoughts; what you learn from life events, your encounters with others, any situations and/or circumstances that you run into; what you learn in your daily living from outside forces/sources; your progress in relation to your spiritual growth; how you are doing with your mental health; about any physical goals you seek to reach; about your emotional state; and all about your overall personal well-being.  Of course, you may cover any areas you so choose in your Daily Diary as you see fit.

There are one-year Diaries as well as five-year Diaries that you may use...

One Year Diary

Five Year Diary

The other option that has been mentioned is keeping a separate Diary just for our book writing projects.  Now this is where all Writers, Authors, Poets, and Literary Lovers will perk up and pay attention.

We will cover two very special areas of interest in our next Blog Session.  Those areas are:

1)   Diary just for our book writing projects; and

2)   Journals for the Writer/Author/Novelist

Be sure to join us back here for our next exciting Blog Session!

Writers get ready!

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved

Beyond the Red Door By René Allen

BLOG SESSION

January 18th, 2018

Good Evening Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~ Welcome back to another fascinating Blog Session.  Tonight we are going to enter into a new zone.  It is a place where all Writers at one point or another step right onto the threshold of...

Grab your Journals for your notes on tonight's Session  ~ make a note in your Journal about this interesting discussion that is going to take you "Beyond the Red Door".

What is this place?

This is the place where you hesitate.  This is the place where you have doubts about your writing skills.  Here is where you have to take stock of the stuff you are made of.

If you know you have a book or several books inside of you, then here is where you begin to work on getting the books to come alive.  You have to take one step in the direction where your story begins -- The title. 

Name your story.  Make the name of your story pull the Reader closer.  Whatever you call your story should make you want to write it, and keep writing it until you finish.  If you are really good at writing your story, then you may even want to make it a Series.

Here is the beauty of coming up with your story title ~ you begin to watch the plot appear, then the location and scenes will jump out at you.  And the next thing you know, the characters will come to life.

Those characters are something else!  They all have personalities.  Some of them will even have different quirks that make them very real, because you will find some aspect of them in someone you have met once upon a time in your life.  Rest assured that those characters in your story will tell you their names and all about their lives.  Some of them will be very chatty, others of them will be introverted.  You may have to dig details out of some of them because they may not open up easily to you. 

You can't have people coming to life without running into issues and circumstances.  And, you can't blink, because if you do, you may just miss the turn your story takes when you run into sticky situations.  Oh, and I forgot to mention -- there may be an argument or two, or a fight somewhere in the midst.

Well now, why not just step right on up the first step. . . you don't have to stress about the first step, because once you take it the next step is even easier . . .

Dear Writer:  Be sure to join us back here for the next Blog Session to learn more.

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

After the first step . . .

Writers, be sure to bring your Journals with you!

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved

Inspiration

BLOG SESSION

January 16th, 2018

Good Morning Writers, Authors, Journalists, Poets, Artists, Photographers, Short Story Writers, Designers, Animators, and all Creative friends who have joined us for our exciting Blog Sessions!

When it comes to writing, we all know that no matter what job you may have, what profession you are in, or what career path you may take ~ you will always have to write.

Writing is necessary

Writing is a necessary part of life.  Even when you may not feel like writing, you will have to fill out a form from time to time, write out your name from time to time, write a short note or letter from time to time, and possibly sign a document every now and then.

For those of us who seek to be Writers, Authors, Novelists, Journalists, Poets of Note, and those friends here with us today who happen to write for a living ~ there is something that we may need to reach for from time to time to keep our writings on track, and there is also a type of life we may seek to lead in order to hear what we need to hear, so that we may write what we need to write, and that is...

Leading a life of quiet inspiration is where you will find the jewels needed to write in your very own way, and in your very own style.  Becoming quiet is the first step toward  entering into the place of "inspiration".

As we close out today's Blog Session, take a moment to get your Diary or Journal out to write notes about the things that "inspire" you to write...

What Inspires you to write?

Make a note in your Diary

or

Write a Journal entry

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

More on ....

Friends ~ until our next Blog Session ~

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved

Drawing Ideas

Drawing Ideas

BLOG SESSION

January 13th, 2018

Good Afternoon Writers, Artists, Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~ Just so that we are all clear here today, there is a way for you to jump into the creative zone...

If you were here for our last Blog Session, then you are up-to-date on our thoughts about having a Creative Journal for 2018, and about gearing up to write out your 2018 creative projects.  You also now have an idea of how you can use Post-it Notes to add to your creative flow as you place entries into your Creative Journal.  If you happened to have missed the last Session, you can simply scroll down after the end of this Session to see the last Session.  You may also find all previous Blog Sessions in our "Blog Archive" over in the far right-hand column.

If you are a Writer, then it helps a great deal if you use your artistic talent in addition to your enate literary abilities.  We all have the ability to be creative ~ whether some of us admit that or not.   I'm sure you've heard people say, "I can't draw a lick."  Well, they are wrong.  If you can write, you can draw.  If you can see, you can learn.

Abstract Artists have an area of skill that many art lovers have an affinity for . . .

Abstract Landscape

Does the above drawing look difficult to draw to you?  Does the above drawing invoke feelings that take your mind to another place?

Here's the deal, abstract artworks have a great deal of power.  The reason this is so is because abstract artworks tend to make you "think" ~ they are thought-provoking.

Abstract artworks will ask of you, "What can I make of what I am viewing?" . . .

Abstract Artwork

By Artist Theresa Paden

For some reason, drawing, painting, and even doodling are very relaxing artistic forms that you can practice to enhance the creativity that resides in you.

The above artwork by Theresa Paden is very inspirational.  The colors immediately make you relax, and also bring "hope" into view.  At least, that is the case for me personally.  There is nothing sad nor disturbing about the artwork.

Colors and their arrangement have meaning and stir up the spirit that resides within the viewer.  Depending upon your disposition, you will "see" and "feel" whatever lies within you.  If you are hopeful, you will see "hope".  If you are bitter, you will find that there is nothing appealing in an artwork that would bring joy to another viewer who is joyful.

ART has a way of speaking to your heart, mind and soul.

You are encouraged today to simply grab your Journal, drawing pad, notebook, blank sheet of paper, or whatever you have handy to create an artwork in whatever form you so desire.  If you simply want to doodle, do that ~ then add color with colored pencils or crayons -- you're never too old to use crayons!

The instruction for today is to

OPEN your EYES

and

do a new thing!

See you back here for the next exciting Blog Session! 

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved

Creative Journal ~ Writing out your 2018 Creative Projects

Creative Journal

Writing out your 2018

Creative Projects

BLOG SESSION

January 12th, 2018

Welcome back for another great Blog Session Writers and Creatives!  We are going to be covering the topic of Writing out your 2018 Creative Projects.

If you are new here to the Blog, we always take notes in our Journals, so now is the time to grab your Journal and ink pen for tonight's notes...

      Journal Notes

The best thing to do on page one of your Journal is to make a note that to-do-lists are wonderful, but visualizing your Creative Projects works even better.  What do I mean by that?  I mean "seeing" is "doing".

If you like making to-do-list, then try a variation of that activity by getting a pack of post-it notes in a variety of colors...

Post-it Notes

(Variety of Colors)

Once you pick up your post-it-notes in various colors, you may want to get various sizes as well...

Post-It Notes

(Various sizes)

Colorful post-it notes will attract your attention.  Here's what you will do with your post-it notes:

1)  Create drawings on your larger post-it notes;

2)  Add dates and times on your smaller post-it notes;

3)  For instance, if you plan on writing a Novel, then draw your Novel Cover on a larger post-it note, and then write the various choices for your title on the smaller post-it notes;

4)  Add your novel project dates on the smaller post-it notes as well ~ such as the date you intend to complete certain chapters, or the dates you intend to complete your editing, etc.;

5)  Use larger post-it notes to draw out how your characters look (if you are an artist);

6)  Use larger post-it notes to list out the character traits of each of your characters; and

7)  Draw various scenes from your Novel on your larger post-it notes.

Of course, you can always purchase an unlined Journal and draw inside of that versus on your post-it notes.  It is up to you how you would like to use your creativity in relation to whatever project you have in store for 2018.

If you are working on writing a Children's book, you may want to draw out the various scenes on your larger post-it notes . . .

Drawings for Post-it Note

For a Children's Book

(Drawing seen above and below by Artist Don Kenn)

The purpose for using post-it notes to place inside of your Journal is so that you may easily remove them, and replace them if you do edits of your ideas and thoughts.

This is a brief Blog Session just to give you a quick tip for using your creativity in 2018 to keep you on task with your writing and creative projects.  We'll be back with more tips in our next Blog Session!

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

Drawing Ideas

Friends ~ See you in the next fascinating Blog Session!

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved

How do I write if I feel sad and depressed?

How do I write if I feel sad and depressed?

BLOG SESSION

December 27th, 2017

Welcome back Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors!  We are here for another fabulous Blog Session with all of the Writers, Authors, Novelists, short story writers, and Poets among us in mind.

If you are planning to write a book, novel, poetry collection, biography, historical book, documentary, self-help book, children's book, memoir, or another type of writing in 2018 for publication, then you are in the right place.

If you would, please grab your Journal and pen so that you can take notes...

Journal Notes

(How do I write if I feel sad and depressed?)

We are quickly approaching 2018, and with that in mind, we want to clear out all sadness and depression, and learn to overcome any melancholy feelings that any of us may be feeling at the current time.  This Blog Session today is about how to write if you may feel sad or depressed.  Since everyone may have moments in their life when this may happen, you can keep these Journal Notes for any time when you may need to refer back to today's Session.

Sometimes Writers have times when they may feel sad, sorrowful, unhappy, or outside of themselves for no real apparent reason.  Not only does this condition affect Writers, but every other type of creative person and other individuals on this planet.  A lot has happened over the years, and many things in particular have happened in 2017.  I might also point out that the Holiday Season is not always a pleasant time for everyone.  So rest assured there is always a brighter day ahead, and thank goodness we are about to turn the corner and enter into another year!

Here is where we get down to the business of gearing up, perking up, and putting on a new attitude.  We're going to write a book in 2018, and we've got a lot of good things to look forward to!

If you were here for our last Blog Session, you'll remember that we discussed both personal Journals and Diaries to get you into the groove of your 2018 book writing journey.

Here is how your Diary can help you to get over any sadness or sorrow that you may be feeling...

Your Personal Diary

The first thing you need to do to get your Diary to operate as your trusted friend and personal therapist is to be honest with yourself.  Use today to do some writing in your Diary...

First, write down how you feel right now.  Happy, joyful, reserved, sad, mad, angry, hungry, tired, irritated?  Whatever the case may be ~ write down today's day, then write down your emotional state.  Then make a mention of what the weather is like, and where you are exactly -- at home, at a relative's house, at a friend's house, on vacation, in the office...

Then, turn the page and write down the list of things that may be bothering you.  No matter how trite the issue may seem to you when you really think about it, still write it down.  It could be something as simple as a missing item that you still can't find after three months...write it down.

Next, for all of the people that you are holding grudges with (about various things -- no matter how big or small), list them.  If you have not forgiven people, list them.  If you have not forgiven yourself, write down what those items are that you have not forgiven yourself about.

After you list your items of annoyances, grudges, and unforgiveness issues with others and/or yourself, turn the page, and list the items that you seek to accomplish in 2018.  Start with your book writing -- what will the title of your book be?

The key here is to write down all of the items above so that you can get them off your chest.

Now, let your Diary sit, because you've unloaded and what will happen next is an upbeat turn for tomorrow when we pick our Diaries back up.

OUR NEXT BLOG SESSION:

Time to come up off the bench

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2017 - All Rights Reserved