Is it true that all good writers keep journals? Probably, but I can’t prove it. What I can say is that there are several great reasons why you’d want to incorporate journaling into your life as writer. Here are my top 5:

1) Your can remember things for later writing. Writers often people watch and observe their surrounding, but when they sit down to write from memory, they waste time trying to remember all the intricate details of people and places. When you’re in a place observing, writer down your observations. It’s good writing exercise and it relieves the pressure of trying to remember later.

2) You get more writing practice. If you carry a journal every where you go and never make another observation without writing it down, imagine how much more writing practice you can get.

3) You can write without the anxiety of having to share it. This allows you to write more freely and openly. When we know no one has to read what we’re writing, we allow ourselves to get in a zone and take risks we otherwise wouldn’t take.

4) You have a ready source for writing inspiration. When you get in a rut or experience writer’s block, review old journals can often spark our imagination and get ideas rolling. At the very least, it puts us in a better mood so that creativity can flow.

5) You can enjoy the stylish, material aesthetic of various journal designs. Sometimes the object itself is enough to inspire writing. The traditional or ultra modern design can help set the mod for a stint of writing.

Browse these Great Journals To Write In, and get started with your own journal today!