1. Take your journal everywhere you go.
You can use a paper notebook–moleskins are great for this–or a digital App: Day One, or VJournal for Evernote, or any other journal app that lets you export or email the text so you can enter some into the class blog.

2. Select a journal that feels right to you
Whether paper or digital or a combination, make sure it works for you–if you sketch, chose an app, like notability, that lets you sketch things. If you are a musician, maybe a recording app would work better, or in combination. Trey to enter something every day, but if you manage every other day, that will work well.

3. Establish a rhythm
If you do this the ams time every day, say as you eat breakfast, or go to bed at night, or after dinner, you’re more likely to keep it regular. Of course, you should use it to jot down things that happen in the spur of the moment too, then maybe flesh it out during your usual time.

4. Organize your entries 
Use dates, and then maybe tags to organize your content. You can also use titles for each entry that help you recall what’s in them. A good practice is to re-read the entry then use this review to help come up with a title.

5. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or any other rules or taboos
This is your one free space where anything goes, where you get to do what you want, say what you want, and try to find out what’s really going on for you, and with how you see the world. Nothing wrong with raw experience–it’s often got some kernel of wisdom and truth to it.

What to include in your journal:

• Reactions to personal situations and world events
• Goals you’re working toward
• Inspiring quotes
• Poetry that moves you
• Pictures from magazines or photos you love
• Books to read
• Music you’ve heard that you may want to purchase (or reference in a story)
• Websites to explore
• Grocery lists
• To do lists

So try to capture whatever is important or interesting to you.
Just don’t wait too long to get started or to write an entry.
“Ideas can come from anywhere and at any time. The problem with making mental notes is that the ink fades very rapidly.” (Rolf Smith)
If you don’t catch that inspiration or idea immediately, it’s likely lost forever.