Songwriting and Journals

[Heather Shay]

I am a songwriter and that is how I am able to express myself. For others its journal writing or writing in general or crafting something with your hands that allows you to express yourself. How do you find you can express yourself or are able to let out things you might have bottled up inside?

[Jackie C.]

It's a little like this -

 

 

The ideas get all jammed up and when they hit critical mass whatever I'm working on splats out on the page. I've sketched forever. I discovered writing in high school. About ten years ago I learned how to animate. Now I'm back to working on my sketching skills after a LONG dry spell brought on by depression.

 

Hugs!

[Ivy]

I write.

I've done it for years.  Poetry, and stories.  I have done some journaling - especially when I was struggling with understanding my gender issues.  I really should do more of that these days.  There have been a few longer things, maybe novellas.

 I do find that I often write things that I am going through into the stories at times.  Perhaps it's actually a form of journal/therapy.

As far as being published, I don't expect that to happen.  I did self-publish one on a print-on-demand platform.  It was something done a few years ago that was illustrated by my ex.  That was a sort of a kids story fairytale with mermaids and stuff.  But a lot of my stuff is a bit darker.

[AmberM]

I find writing in a journal of some sort to be helpful when I am unsure as it gets it down onto paper (my thoughts). I am actually trying a new format with my journals, in OneNote I have two sections, one is just my musings and thoughts just to get them out, then I am creating a checklist that I am pulling theme out of my musings for therapy in that week. I am curious if it is going to help A.) reflection on what are the common themes of my thoughts; and B.) organize therapy into what my week has actually looked like. This is the first time trying it so I will just see how it goes.

[Heather Shay]

Interesting concept - I think I'll give it a try - I have therapy this week and I'm not really organized going into it

[Heather Shay]

@Jackie C. wow - you are really talented in art - I love the example you shared - that is amazing.

 

[Jani]

When I was going to counseling I would make a short list of achievements and activities for the week so I would have something to discuss.  I would bring it and read from it so not to forget any point I wanted to talk about.  It was a good way for me to see my progress as well.  

[Heather Shay]

good idea - with my brother passing and all - those things I've been working on and achieved can easily get lost 

[Jackie C.]

2 hours ago, Shay said:

@Jackie C. wow - you are really talented in art - I love the example you shared - that is amazing.

 

 

Thank you, but that's not one of mine. Just an image I found. I suck, hence while I'm working on my figure drawing skills.

 

Hugs!

[Heather Shay]

@Jackie C. well - at least you have amazing skill in picking cool images - maybe they will inspire you to become a wonderful creator of art....

[Jackie C.]

Sadly. My mad skillz are just prose and animating somebody else's characters at the moment. So figure drawing because I want to do some comic art.

 

Also, hey! I found my student reel! This one was fun. Audio from the Tick TV series.

 

 

Hugs!

[AmberM]

@Jackie C. That is better than what I can do, so I applaud your talents.

 

I have fantasized about doing free form sketching, it just never comes onto paper what is in my mind, so I get angry at it and I stop. Maybe I will pick up the pen or pencil again eventually and just try sketching and see if I can let myself doodle without judgement.

[Jackie C.]

It comes down to practice. The #1 habit that every successful artist I know has is that they start drawing whenever they have a spare moment. I'm trying to cultivate that.

 

Hugs!

[Heather Shay]

@Jackie C. and @QuestioningAmber art is an amazing talent. I have a friend who lost use of his drawing hand and it is such a loss to us who love art. Please cultivate you talents and share with us please.