Journal writing has a strong tradition of not only helping writers improve their writing skills, but the process of writing your thoughts, worries, and challenges can also be useful.
We have written about several online and computer software for maintaining a journal or diary, but if you're stuck for ideas or wondering about the purpose of journaling, several online sites by experienced journalers might be of help.
EasyJournaling
Though the Easy Journaling blogsite has low cost ebook and audiobook material for salel, Sam, the developer of the site, also provides a plethora of free materials for getting started with mainly e-journal writing.
His "Where Do I Start?" section includes answers to questions about getting motivated to write, how to tag your e-journal entries, and how to improve your journal writing along the way.
The site also has reviews of the top iPhone, and Android journal apps, including My Secret Diary, Day One, and Memories: the Diary.
Sam has been a lifelong journal writer who thinks that recording one's history is a useful tool for busy professionals, parents and children, as well as students. His article on 37 Reasons to Penzu Pro is also useful to check out.
Writing Through Life
Writing Through Life is more about traditional journal writing – that of using journal writing as a form of memoir and story telling. The developer of the site, Amber Lea Starfire, offers one-on-one mentoring and editing services.
She also produces a free weekly e-zine of journaling topics, writing prompts, tips for renewing or starting a regular writing practice, and she suggest ways to mine your journal for writing your life stories. Her weekly prompts for exploring various facets of your life through writing is a good place to start with her site.
Art Journaling
You may or may not know it, but journaling is not limited to pen and paper, or a digital text editor. You can also express your thoughts and experiences through art. If you've never seen or done art journaling, one site to begin with is Artists Journals.
This site features a few examples, how-to techniques, and suggested resources for creating and maintaining an illustrated diary or journal.
1000 Journals Project
Though it's a not a site with tips and journal prompts, you definitely owe it yourself to check out The 1000 Journals Project, which features photo captures of journals exploring all types of content, from family and friendships, to politics and world events.
The project site is based on a physical exhibition of personal journals and journals created in classrooms and adult learning centers.
A similar site called 1001 Journals is set up for you to pass along your journal in one of three ways: through the mail to a list of people who sign up to participate, by leaving your journal in public location, such as a café or bookstore so that someone else may pick it up, or you can scan your journal and post it on the site.
CreateWriteNow
If you're in need of some immediate inspiration for journal writing, you might check out Mari L. McCarthy's site Create Write Now, which among other tips and articles features over 150 journaling prompts.
McCarthy is a therapy specialist and coach, who has published a few ebooks on the subject of therapeutic writing. Her site also features a collection of personal journal stories of self-discovery, in both written and video format, from readers of her site.
There are several other useful journal sites on the net. Let us know which one's you visit a lot for inspiration.
And for other ideas on journal writing, check out these articles:
- The Advantages Of Journal Writing On Penzu.com
- 4 Awesome Journal Apps To Write About Your Day [iPhone]
- 3 Ways To Keep A Journal Using Your Mac
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