- Richland Library
- Friday, June 24, 2022
Take a break and write. Journaling can help you process your emotions and unleash your creativity.
Anytime is the perfect time to start keeping a journal or diary. Writing can help you organize your thoughts, recognize your emotions and help you understand them.
You can write about what's happening in your life or use your journal as a place to flex your creative muscles. Create a short story through texts or re-write a fairy tale. The sky's the limit and remember to silence your inner critic. You aren't writing for a grade or for anyone else's eyes but your own.
You also don't need an overpriced journal or sketchbook to begin. Any empty notebook will work, but if you're feeling creative, make your own DIY Personalized Notebook for journaling.
A notebook, a good pen or pencil and you're all set. If you need a starting point or inspiration, these writing prompts can help you begin:
Warm-up prompt
- "Draw yourself or anything that represents you. Give your drawing a title."
Journaling prompts
- "What are you especially proud of about yourself?
- What are you the least proud of about yourself?"
Find more prompts like this @ Journaling with Teens from the University of Missouri
Writing Prompt
"What was your very first worry when you were a child? How did you cope then? What worries are you experiencing now? How are you currently coping?"
Find more prompts like this @ Words Alive!
If you're a more visual person or you like to draw or doodle, keeping a bullet journal might be for you. Check out this video for the rules of bullet journaling: (SPOILER: There are NO RULES!)
If you want to learn more tips for developing your writing skills or get advice from some of your favorite writers, these titles have you covered:
The Creativity Project
Light the Dark /.
Light the Dark
Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book?
The 1-Minute Writer
Just Write
Just Write
Brave the Page
Or how about some great books written as journal entries, letters or about young writers finding their way?
Don't Ever Change
Don't Ever Change
The Bunker Diary
The Bunker Diary
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Book of 1000 Days
Book of a Thousand Days
Book of a Thousand Days
The Night Diary
The Night Diary
The Night Diary
Monster
Monster
Fangirl
Fangirl
Fangirl
Dear Martin
Dear Martin
Dear Martin
Skim
While your journal is private, your writing doesn't have to be. If you have a short story, an essay or poem that the world needs to hear, make your voice heard by submitting your work for possible publication in Richland Library's literary magazine, Kids in Print.
Contributors must live in the Midlands and be 6-18 years-old for consideration.