Responding to Preparation Challenges.One of the major areas of attack when preparing to write is addressing and adjusting to the variety of environmental, physical, and emotional distractions you may encounter. It may seem easier to thread a needle with a camel than achieving the goal of completing that perfect draft. Frustration is often magnified if, instead of stepping back from the situation, you push creating additional pressure to perform and complete the task. Sometimes it is best to enter the arena of free flow writing by journaling your thoughts.

Journaling provides an opportunity for you to release feelings and emotions about a particular topic or situation without the burden of perfecting a task. Journaling does not require lengthy preparation or formal training. It does require you to make a commitment and spend quiet time for selfaway from others. The process of journaling includes reflection and clearing the mental clutter that inhibits creativity when writing in a more formal setting. Journaling about what you are feeling and experiencing during those writers block moments can do one of several things:

-Relieve emotional stress
-Encourages better sleep patterns
-Enables you to see areas that need improving or problems to be addressed
-Gives you an outlet to freely express concerns, challenges, and fears
-Provides a method of developing future writing topics and goals

There are several important considerations to address when you begin the journaling process. Remember, you are investing in yourself. It is important to dedicate time (at least one hour) each day that belongs to you to write about experiences, feelings, issues and challenges that may affect your writing career. Make sure everyone in your household understands and respects the time you have selected.

You may want to begin your journaling time by listening to music, nature sounds, or by reading scriptural or meditation verses that encourage mental calm and relaxation. The key is to allow your mind to wander and release thoughts. Since writing is a mental activity, sound machines that provide sounds like water, rain, sounds of the ocean, or birds can be great encouragement to your mental state and general well being.

Be deliberate in your selection of where to begin the journaling process. Make sure you are away from noise and chatter, television, radio and the PHONE! Most importantly, do not apologize for using time for yourself. Just as you schedule time to eat, socialize, attend school or go to work, schedule time to journal.

Date your journal. When you put a date on your thoughts, you are able to note changes and track positive outcomes from your decision to adjust a pattern or attitude. Finally, maintain a positive attitude. Suffering the challenge of writers block is momentary. Joy does come in the morning, and morning is not a time of day, but rather a state of mind. Write until your joy comes.

Theresa Wilson
http://www.writersinthemarketplace.org