Showing posts with label Journalling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Journalling. Show all posts

Saturday, 31 October 2020

The Benefits of Journaling for Writers

 


There's nothing like a brand new notebook to get a writer's heart pumping. Unless it's a brand new top-of-the-range MacBook of course. However, even the most expensive notebook is considerably cheaper than that. Writers love notebooks. They love buying notebooks. Then, they decide the notebook is far too nice to write in, and they buy another notebook. And, so it goes. Piles of notebooks and not a jot of writing done. My blog today is to exhort you to crack open that brand new notebook and actually do some writing on those pristine pages. 

Why am I encouraging you to do this - because I am talking about journaling in today's post. In order to embrace journalling, you actually need to write something. Or draw something. Or past something. You get my drift. 

What is Journaling?

It is simply, the practice of writing, without pressure, on a regular basis. 

Why Journal?

Why am I encouraging you to journal? The benefits are both well known and numerous. 

  • Improves brain power.
  • Improves mood. 
  • Improves memory.
  • Aids focus. 
  • Reduces stress.
  • Record day to day events. These may come in useful in your current or future WIP.
  • Gets you writing every day.
  • To practice stream of consciousness writing.
  • Opens up the brain to new ideas.
  • Declutters the brain.
  • Write without pressure.
  • Motivation.
  • Practice new or different writing techniques.
  • Increases your daily word count as you will be more likely to write

In order to get started, I would suggest you pick a time you will journal each day. Open a notebook and pick up a pen and spend fifteen minutes writing, on any topic which comes to mind. Do this for a week and see how your writing has changed over that time. You will be surprised at how far you've come. 

Now, my Bookaholic friends, if you'll excuse me I'm off to buy another notebook ready for tomorrows writing session. See you soon and until then, keep on reading and keep on writing. 

Monday, 10 August 2020

I Am So Many Things Journalling Bible


It's not often that I am blown away by a Bible, in fact so much so that I have to blog about it. However, this one is definitely worth the effort and hoopla. It is incredible. So, Bookaholics, a bible it is today.

Wow. Just wow. I love this bible. From the bright yellow cover, which I find alluring, to the very last illustrations on the inside of the back cover, this bible is incredible. The image on the front says, 'I am so many things', and this is backed up by scripture verses. These 'I am' statements and images are liberally scattered throughout the pages with relevant bible verses underneath them. The affirmations in the I am statements are powerful allowing the reader to see themselves as God sees them. They are brought to life by Thea Muir in her simple, yet effective, illustrations. Affirmations such as these are what are so often missing in our modern lives, so a timely and necessary read. This is so much more than a Bible, it is a journalling bible where you can write in the extra wide margins. This can be about the text itself or about the I am images and affirmations. There are also several pages where the reader is encouraged to complete exercises to make them think more deeply about the text and the affirmation. In fact, this whole Bible is designed to be read, believed, internalised, written in and interacted with. It is both a bible and a devotional.

Whilst this is squarely aimed at young girls and teens, I believe that many adults would gain a lot from it as well. I am an adult and I absolutely loved it from the get go. I cannot recommend this bible highly enough and if I could give it more than 5 stars I would in a heartbeat. It is worth every penny.

I received a copy of this bible from the publisher. At no point was I asked to give a positive review. My review is based on my own enjoyment and love of this version of the bible and was formed without bias. I am so glad the publishers sent me this. I know I'm an adult but I fully intend using it, especially the affirmation parts. We all need a reminder of who truly are in God. 

So, for all my Bookaholic friends who are Christians, or even looking for a present for a young girl who is a Christian, this is definitely one I can recommend. Better still, buy it from your local Christian Bookshop. They are struggling as they reopen and supporting them is key in the current times. 

I'll be back soon with more news and views. Until then, keep reading and keep writing.