The pages of the journal make no judgments and should be free of editors, critics, and teachers. Whether the writer is expressing deeply held beliefs, recording snippets of overheard dialogue, making observations, listing ideas for future projects, or copying a favorite poem, the notebook should be a vital part of the creative tool kit.

The notebook is akin to the author’s other brain, the brain that has the freedom to think and muse freely with total recall.

As artists have sketchbooks, writers have notebooks. Whether they choose to call them notebooks, journals, or daybooks, their motives are the same—to capture and document thoughts, sentiments, observations, ideas, ruminations, and reflections before these vanish.

writer’s notebook is a safe place for such experiments to be undertaken.

No one can expect to write well who would not first take the risk of writing badly.

Write Letters in Your Journal Write to your characters, friends, loved ones—dead or alive.

A gratitude journal, which is a place to record what you are thankful for in life. This type of journal nurtures a positive outlook and is a good thing to have when you’re feeling down.

The journal is a place where you can shed the mask you wear during the course of your day.

Journal writing is like singing in the shower—I can let ’er rip without fear of judgment.