I used to believe that what separated a journal from all other types of writing is that a journal is not written for an audience. It is a private writing that is done because it helps the writer. However, since starting my online journal , I have come to understand that a journal may sometimes have an audience. I still believe that a journal isn't written for the audience, even if it has one. I also believe that journal entries are different from creative writing efforts.
Many writers use their journal as a sort of writing equivalent of a drawing sketchpad.
And, many people use entries from their journal to develop into creative writing projects. Even so, I believe that I make a journal entry because I need to clear my mind and heart, not because I have a finished writing project in mind. I make that distinction about the purpose of the writing at the time it was written. Contact the webmaster .