Every so often, I share something I’ve written in one of my journals to let readers in on how the mind of at least one writer works.
Here’s an entry from 2003, two years into the writing of my first novel , Between Will and Surrender, and when I was about to start my second, Between Darkness and Dawn.
Journal Entry, June 19, 2003
I enjoy the feel of pen scratching on rough paper. I enjoy the feel of words rushing through my mind and escaping through fingertips and pen. They flow out through black ink, the blood-sweet fluid of expression.
I enjoy the feel of this form of expression, the artiness of it. Life takes on meaning when I react to it in a way that becomes preserved between the pages of my journal. Words that will outlast me.
At least until someone throws them away.
Whom will that be? Someone I know? One of my sons? A grandchild? A great grandchild? Or will my journal fall into the hands of a stranger–who will then trash it?
What will it matter once I’m gone?
In the mean time, pen scratches across paper, ink stains the surface with curly symbols. My thoughts are preserved.
If only I could write about something people cared about. If only I could write in a way that would keep readers entranced long enough to absorb my story, enjoy it, think about it, and share the experience.
If only, if only, if only.
It’ll take practice. Lots of it.
It’ll take luck.
I have stacks of journals, covering the years I planned and wrote my four novels (2003-2008).
A journal for every three months times six, twenty-four in all.
Treasures filled with the “sweet fluid of expression.”
As always, thanks for stopping by,
That is very beautiful and shows your love for the written word.
Wonderful. Don't worry about when you're gone. You have those journals now, and you'll have them when you're old – to treasure, to re-read, to laugh about, to cry about. They're you. They're yours.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Hi Lee. I indeed love the written word. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I do treasure my journals, Kay. Definitely no regrets there. They are fun to look at later.
I have a ton of journals too. I have four boys so I know they will throw them away one day:)
Four boys! When do you have time to write? Who knows, maybe they'll search those journals to see if you wrote anything about them.
Margaret, you have come a long way. It took me 10 years to write a book and sell. I tell you all about writing it "Scent of Diamonds" with 20 other writers telling their stories that is out now. "How I wrote my first book" at Twilight Times Books. Someone told me it can take that long, however in the mean time I was working on a newspaper. So hang in there, you are on your way.
Hi Dorothy. I'll check out "How I Wrote My First Book," at Twilight Times Books. Sounds interesting–and inspiring. Thanks for the tip.