Idea Creation Part 1

The easiest things to write about are things you already know about. We all have had unique, individual experiences that have shaped our points of view and lend a flavor to our voices that no one else on Earth would be capable of duplicating. But how do we incorporate our experiences into our writing effectively? We can't always remember the things we've done, the places we've gone, and the people we've met. The answer sounds easy, but can actually take more time and effort than a lot of people are willing to commit: keep a journal. This is a lot like writing down the ideas you feel inspired with, but you're writing about the events of your own life. Fortunately for me, journal writing has never been too big of a chore. I've kept a journal since I was in second grade. Granted, there are some years when I was younger when i was lucky to get even ten entries written down, but looking back now is like looking through a window at myself at a younger age. My writing demonstrates my mental state and capacity at that time period and certainly exposes the topics I was preoccupied with. The following are some excerpts from those early entries that I've felt like could be food for thought in future writing ventures:

January 28, 2004
I'm 13 years old. We got a calico cat named Magic from our grandpa for Christmas. My room is a mess. I shave. I wear deodorant. I got a perm and a haircut at the beginning of the school year and I got my hair layered more recently. I am infatuated with Andrew Heikkila and I have a small crush on Jeffrey Barnes . . . I am the president of Cantabile Choir and I think I'm too fat . . . I want to go out on a date and dance with a boy. I want to have my first kiss.

July 9, 2005
June was a month packed full of excitement and fun for me. On June 14 at 4:30 a.m. my mom woke everyone up so we could catch a 6:30 a.m. flight at the airport, beginning our trip to Washington D.C. When we finally got to D.C. at 4:30 p.m. my first impression was of heat and humidity. We rented a car and wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial but had faulty directions and ended up at the Jefferson Memorial. The rest of the trip went better though . . . we later saw the U.S. Captiol, the Smithsonian of American History and Natural History, the National Archives, and the Library of Congress. At these places we saw the original Kermit the Frog, Dorothy's ruby slippers, the Hope diamond and lots of fossils, and the Declaration of Independence.

Included with this last entry were the brochures I picked up for Williamsburg, VA and the Washington Monument and my ticket for when we toured the U.S. Capitol. As you can see, journal writing not only allows you to remember important events in your life, but it also reminds you of experiences that might be interesting to write about . . . in your spare time.