On Being a Journalist Without Being a Journaler
Everybody says it…
Everybody says it…
Everybody says it. You have to write every day. Keep a journal.
Get a little book of blank paper that you paid a fortune for, and start doodling in it. Make one page say WRITE HERE in big, red, 3-D letters and an arrow pointing to a replica of a moon. Glue sparkles, if needed.
Before long you have spent your money and your time without writing a word. But you are trendy.
I am sorry, but I, myself, am just not a journaler. I can’t type very well or quickly. I surely don’t have good handwriting.
But I have stories, even though I am embarrassed and uncomfortable sitting in a Starbucks with a trendy journal. Somehow these feel like props I don’t really need. I just need the words.
I need to use the words every day. I need to exercise, whether I walk or lift weights. And I can exercise the words in many places whether on a computer or a journal.
The trick is to be comfortable whatever you are using, or you won’t do it. Don’t use a medium just because it’s cool. First, find your voice. Then find your medium.
This story was previously published in one of my blogs.
Don Martin is a writer, editor, and storyteller at DonMartinBooks.com. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, Peggy, and two imaginary friends. Stay in touch with WRITER SQUEEZIN’s here!
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