I have been writing since I was little. I always had a diary and a notebook. I love to take notes and write poetry. I have written songs for my late husband, my children, and my current partner. I have created essays and short stories as well. Mostly I like to free write. I usually start my day with writing and it clears my head.

I process my thoughts and ideas through writing. I find that I can get my thoughts out better on paper than verbally, even though I love to talk. When I have hard things to say to people, I prefer to write it all out and share it with them then have a hard conversation.

Each time, after experiencing the loss of a best friend, an aunt, or my husband, I turned to writing. Keeping a journal helped me get through each day. I found joy in writing to my loved ones. I found peace in understanding my thoughts and emotions. I connected with my faith and acceptance of God’s plan through prayers.

I have many notebooks going at one time. Some of them are used daily and the rest at least weekly. I try to write a few pages a day with whatever comes through. I like to follow prompts and create lists too.

I think many people feel that they can not write because of their penmanship or spelling abilities. I think getting the words down on paper is what matters not how it looks or if it is even legible. I need college-ruled lines and a soft-cover notebook. I like to write with a black pen. My favorite one right now is either the Inc Forma or Inkjoy stick.

I keep a daily/monthly bullet journal; a yearly collection journal, a writing journal; a notebook for things I listen to, read, and watch; a junk journal to record random bits of information, and one about me. I often use college-ruled spiral notebooks for classes I am part of and videos or podcasts I watch to learn from.

In the spring of 2020, I published my first book, a memoir. Being able to go back through my journals is therapeutic and healing. Then a collection-style book of miracles I experienced in the spring of 2021 to share my closeness to God. In the spring of 2023, my third book, also a memoir, was released. This one too is taken from past journals. In 2023, I published a workbook, “My Spouse Died; Now What?”, a collection of my poems called “New Growth Poetry” and a journal, “Journaling for Holiday Grief”.

My published works are available on Amazon.

Not everyone keeps their writing. Some prefer to shred it, burn it, or throw it away. I find being able to go back and see how I was processing emotions and situations can be very beneficial. I sometimes fold over a page if there is something that I would not want someone to read.