Need help with journal writing!

[P.K.mama]

Does anyone have any tips on fiction journal or diary writing?
My 15 year old daughter loves to write. She wants to try a new method from a book she has just finished. The whole story was written in journal form.
I have never written this way and am at a loss as how to help her.
Any info on this subject would be great.:D

[melw]

i hope this helps a little

She could start with seeing someone, a stranger and just make up things about that person. A lot of what if....???? that is an idea. Thought maybe if she writes a story like Diary entries (that might just tell one part of hte sotry) And still have other 'normal' writing

MEL

[Louchiere]

With any form of writing it's all about putting yourself in the characters shoes. So basically invent someone, do the research for the time setting and so forth, and start with a page everyday. For instance, say the character is a girl about your daughters age, she can then pull on her own feelings and emotions, and invent things that would happen or could happen to her character and how she would feel or respond to them. Alot of Characters are really in many ways the authors own brain child, or imaginary friend. Hope this makes sense and helps. :)

[Tarin]

Basically, writing in journal format is simply utilizing a 1st-person POV.

[tneeley]

I have a suggestion. I sometimes collect journaling prompts by writing them on index cards and filing them until I need something to spark my imagination. Once, when I was searching the net for prompts, I finally realized that the biggest journaling prompt source that existed was my Bible.

Having said that, an idea for your daughter might be to read of a particular person in the Bible and then imagine what it would have been like to have been that person (what they might have thought, what they might have said, how they might have responded). The Bible is full of treasures waiting on us to mine their riches and apply them to our lives.

[P.K.mama]

Thanks for the help, she has the characters down., but is used to writing in third. Like Tarrin said it is mostly in first POV. I'm printing off what you have said so she can take a look for herself. she is used to writing in detail. I think this might be the problem as well. Melw's idea of first and third POV might help. Aslo I agree with the characters whether she knows it or not I always see a little of her in them.Thanks alot!

[Michael Scott]

My son just picked up a book the other day at Barnes and Noble called Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was "written" by a middle schooler (the real author is a grown adult) in complete journal style. Very enjoyable. She might want to check it out for format and style. It's quite cleverly done.

[P.K.mama]

Thanks Michael, She has already read that one and love it.... I told her she needs to keep reading books like that one to get more ideas about style. She has the story line it's just style she needs help with. She is so used to writing in detail to get point s across.. Journal wriiting isn't like that. thanks Again!

[sweet-jay]

hello P. K. Mama,
I think with the journal writing style, you come up with some character(s), and try to put yourself in their shoes; try to imagine a life that you do not necessarily live, but imagine you'd have loved to live, or it could even be a life you do not want to live! Then, write regular (daily, ore weekly...) entries into this journal, allowing your imagine to stretch as far as is relevant to the work.

GOD BLESS YOU!

[P.K.mama]

Thanks Sweet Jay,
With all these comments my daughter is getting a better feel for it. Cutting back on descriptions and going with the flow Seem to be helping some. She is using this story to submit for 4H judging. She placed first last year and went to state.Now she want to place at the state fair as well. Thanks for everyones help. It is greatly appreciated. She just picked up another book from the liberary to compare styles. Thanks again God Bless.

[Rachel E.]

PK Mama,

There are books available that are called something like "diaries of America" or something like that. They are diaries of kids somewhere between the ages of 9 and 19 throughout history. There is also the "royal diaries" that are written by famous royalty, Cleopatra, Elizabeth 1st, etc. They would be an excellent resource for your daughter! I am currently working on a MS about a 16 year old boy that lived in the old South, and he is going through the Civil War in my book. So if you need help, I'll try to help you out.

Blessings!