Journaling

To begin our writing journey I have been inspired by 'short cuts' or random extracts from Helen Garner's journal published in the Sydney Morning Herald on November 3, 2012. The article contained short snippets from her journal about everyday things like conversations with her grandchildren and the waitress at a cafe, catching a train, watching a DVD or listening to a CD. What touched me was how Garner was a passive observer, yet active participant in life, insightfully appreciating the moment. Apparently she used to burn her journals (and I have done this for years) thinking they were boring. Yet her journals inspired her first novel MONKEY GRIP.

So there you have it. As Paul Kelly says, 'from little things, big things grow!'

What can you do?

So take heed of a great writer and reflect on the moments in your life. Write about a moment in any day in your life that struck you as interesting in some way. Post your journal entry in the comment box below.

An example

Below is a short journal entry about my daily walks.

Just about every day I walk through the caravan park, nodding hello to the permanent residents and holiday makers, stroll across the bridge over the ever changing river that leads me onto the sandy pathway to the great expanse of our beach line. One of my favourite parts of this journey is crossing the bridge, especially at high tide, as all sorts of marine life glide through the jade crystal water - a sting ray and her baby, schools of fish big and small, pelicans dreaming and occasionally playful dolphins.

On this day the water was aglow with hundreds of aqua blue jelly fish pulsating up stream in a collective rhythm. It was such a surprising delight as it was a first for me. I saw a couple approaching the bridge in a canoe and I blurted out with over excitement for them to look out for the jellyfish. I was deflated by their subdued reply that yes they were good, but not good for fishing. Of course I realised that the novelty of seeing this wonder had probably worn off for the couple after they past a steady stream of the jellyfish, although I was perplexed by their response. Did they mean that the jellyfish kept other fish away or that they were a nuisance to catch? I pondered how differently people see the world.

These jellyfish stayed around for several weeks, although not in as plentiful supply. I was more likely to see them washed up on the beach shore, upside down in what I presumed was an undignified manner for them, with their bunch of gherkin like tentacles flopped onto the sand and protective hoods inside out with the sun slowly fading their glistening and glowing gum like bodies.