By: Margaux paul
Are you a writer who has been struggling to finally finish that book you’ve been working on for years? It’s not uncommon for writers to feel frustrated with the project they’re working on. Fiction involves not just the technical elements of writing, but also the emotional components and understanding of character development. If you’re looking to improve your fiction writing, one tried-and-true method is journaling. Let’s explore why and how journaling can help you grow as a writer.
Why Journal?
Journaling is an important tool for novelists in particular because it allows them to create a backstory for their characters that can be used in their writing. Journals are also useful for writers who need to work through ideas or plot points that don’t necessarily fit into the narrative structure of their story. When used properly, journaling can be an invaluable resource for crafting compelling stories with complex characters.
How to Use Journaling to Improve Your Fiction Writing
The key to using journaling effectively is to make sure that each entry focuses on a specific aspect of your story or character development. For example, if you’re working on developing a villainous character, try writing down what motivates them, what kind of background they have, or even how they go about achieving their goals.
By taking the time to flesh out these details in your journals, you will be better equipped to write believable villains that your readers can relate to and empathize with.
You can even try interviewing your character so you can understand who they are more intimately.
How Does Journaling Help With Writer’s Block?
Writing can feel daunting, especially when you feel stuck or overwhelmed by the scope of your project. Journaling is an excellent way to work through writer’s block because it allows you to express yourself freely without worrying about grammar or structure. Through journaling, writers can explore their thoughts and ideas in a more personal way that may eventually lead them to new plot points or characters that can move their story along.
How Journaling Can Improve Scenes
Another great way to use journaling for fiction writing is by breaking down scenes into individual components such as setting, dialogue, and action sequences. This will help you visualize what goes into a particular scene from start to finish so that when it comes time to actually write it out, you already have a clear idea of what needs to happen and where everything should go within the context of the story.
Make this the year you finally finish that book or short story! Combat writers block through our expressive writing program, and learn more about yourself and your characters by using the tools provided by The Love Story to figure out what your Spirit Archetype is. Our journaling sessions are also a great way to start journaling if you feel overwhelmed about beginning. You can get started by clicking the link below!
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