A Note on Journals

Before starting the first chapter of our first lesson, it is important to have something to write with and in. Thoughts that aren't recorded cannot be of any future use. Memory fades quickly without references to go back in time. Don't be afraid of putting down what might be considered bad ideas. This is a learning experience and exploration of discovery. Bad turns and mistakes can be corrected or simply marked down as examples to be avoided. Go back to the less than desirable writings and use them as jumping off points for better writing.

What kind of Journal to use is completely up to the individual. At the least it should have enough room to write a page a day for the whole year. Length  and page size can be different for each book , but suppose that a page is completed each day of the year. That makes 365 pages, or equal to the average book picked up at the library. Double that and it can become two books or a very large volume.

Fancy or simple is again an individual choice. College ruled spiral notebooks are good for quick thoughts. They can be stored easily and not take up much room. Be careful choosing these because it can be easy to lose them. They might get mixed up with others and thrown away because of the casual look. Develop a filing system with a safe storage area if the typical notebook is chosen.

Picking a fancy journal is restricted only by the imagination. They can be homemade with loving care. Less creative types are not without great picks from an abundant commercial selection. Whatever is chosen, remember that a thin Journal might not be enough for the project. The fewer pages, the more of them will be needed. A ruled and not blank page Journal is recommended for easy notation.


For the purposes of the class, what goes into the Journals will be decided with prompts. Each lesson will have questions to answer and writing assignments designed to put thoughts on paper. Here is an example developed from the Epic of Gilgamesh introduction:

Research the cave art of pre-writing cultures. Look at the way the lines are drawn and colors used. Pick a favorite or one that seems to hint at a story. Draw a word picture describing the cave art, paying attention to shape, size, color, texture, and even emotional impact. Use the descriptive to expand into a short story about that picture or the person who painted it on the cave walls.  After finishing the story, write about what made that art personally stand out from the others.

By the way, the above is a practice and the first assignment. Don't like the final product? There will be more where that comes from for improvement. Satisfied with the outcome? Expand on it to not lose the muse, or file it away to use later as a larger project. Can't believe how well it turned out? Share it with others or even submit it somewhere that publishes that sort of work. Lets learn. Lets have fun.