I have never, nor will I ever, write my feelings into a diary. OK maybe that sounds dramatic, but I don't see myself starting anytime soon. Not because I think they are useless or unnecessary, but I express my feelings in other ways. When I want to pour my feelings into something, I will sit down at my laptop and create a character who is going through opposite things as me. For example, if I feel like my life is out of my control at the moment, I will develop a character who has control issues and comes to the realization that sometimes life gets in the way of your plans, and that you can't control everything. This helps me cope with my stresses and anxieties, and during that process, it helps me overcome them.
Although I don't keep a diary online, sometimes I feel like Instagram is my diary. I never share lengthy, whiny "why me" posts or anything, but I share photos of friends, and share scriptures that have helped me along the way, in hopes that it might help someone, too. If I were to ever start an online diary, I don't think I could hold back on the personal issues of my life. I've been involved in a bible study for the past three years with girls my age, and found early on that we share the same struggles. If you have a strong voice and are willing to put yourself out there, I don't see why you shouldn't start an online diary or journal. There are at least a handful of people out there that are going through the same things as you, and are probably itching to find an online entity that they can relate to. If you have something to say (and its not hurtful to anyone) by all means, say it. But don't loose yourself in the process. Always be your authentic self.
When writes sit down to write, I think it starts consciously, but the subconscious bubbles to the surface. I notice that when I start to write about a topic, it opens a door to a realm that I've never explored before. There are so many ideas and feelings and opinions that want to be addressed that otherwise wouldn't. Just like when you're reading, the writer can take away something after they finish their diary entry.
I am by no means a grammar Nazi; however, I know that some readers will stop reading when they spot more than one. But for an online diary that more than likely hasn't been edited, and probably won't make it to publication, I don't think you should be worried with spelling and grammar. What you should focus on is the organization of the diary, and making sure it's easy to follow along and navigate. When online journals and diary writers name drop, ninety percent of the time I've never head of the person they're talking about. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't refer to someone else. If the person they are referring to has a great article, or book, etc. about the topic that you are talking about, then by all means tell us who that is. But if the person has nothing to do with what you're talking about, leave it out. It's so easy to click open another tab and Google other people who write about similar subjects online.
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I am 100% on-board with your comments on grammar when it comes to personal/private writing. To me that process is more about developing your thoughts and getting your ideas/feelings/emotions...whatever onto the page and out of your head. We should always strive to be our best writing selves, so I'm not saying we shouldn't care about being accurate, it just shouldn't be the most critical piece of personal writing. Definitely things put out for public consumption should be much more heavily scrutinized for accuracy.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I found your approach to dealing with how you're feeling (and writing a character opposite from you in that moment) to be very interesting. I may need to try that...for catharsis as well as giving you a character to use in your future creative writing endeavors!
I took interest in your explanation of how you guide yourself to cope/come to terms with different emotions or events in your life. The way you explained your coping mechanisms in the act of creating a character who is built on opposing emotions to the one's you are experiencing at that time was very appealing, and a persuading option for the next time I feel as though I am struggling with the adaptation to my emotions.
ReplyDeleteI admire the flow you have composed throughout the structure and organization of your writing for this blog post. Although we were prompted with number questions, upon reading your writing your transitions flowed smoothly and no where did it feel like there was an abrupt change in your train of thought. Your writing really resonated with me as a reader, and was read as if I was listening to a conversation in your head instead of reading an assigned blog post. Overall, I am very impressed by the authenticity in your writers voice!!!