Guest Post + Giveaway: Jess C Scott

Why Journaling is Good--Guest Post by Jess C Scott

BOOK SUMMARY: A 17-year-old intern must choose between trusting an irresistibly suave dance instructor—or her instincts. SINS07 is a series featuring lighthearted tales that explore each of the seven sins in order, beginning with lust.


My most recent publication is a YA novel titled, 1: The Intern, part of a SINS07 “seven deadly sins” series. While the tone and presentation differ quite greatly from my debut blog/IM novel (the blog novel is more alternative / more info on it @ www.eyeleash.wordpress.com), both books cover the subject of lust.

I remember journaling a lot, throughout my teenage years (I’ll turn 24 this September). I still do. Here’s an excerpt from my handwritten journal/diary (I’m not saying when this happened, exactly!):

“...but he was so daring/discreet at the same time!! He said ‘(before you go) may I / can I have a kiss (here?—pointing/showing his cheek)’...it was all a blur...so I asked ‘whyyy?’ quite coyly, he said ‘coz I hv been so nice to you’...‘tt’s true’ (LOL! I sounded quite “statement” I think)...I thought 2 myself: how hot/wet can this kiss be? then I thought boring as it is, guess I’ll keep it neutral, which I did...slightly shaven cheek......very careful non-sloppy kiss...& tt is my 1st kiss 2 a guy. I STILL HAVEN’T BEEN KISSED.”

This type of “journal writing” probably isn't what a school teacher would accept for an English composition/essay/assignment. What it shows, however, is freedom in a person’s exploration of their honest thoughts and feelings (which, one could argue, is more important than scoring an A on every single paper).

Some people loathe writing that’s done in text message style—but you can’t really deny the fact that it is a form of communication, in this day and age. Text messaging, to me, is just another language. I text messaged all the way throughout my high school years, and it never affected my grades (I always applied “the rules of proper English,” when it came to academic work).

I find that journaling freely has always allowed me to “capture the moment” better. I tend to experience things quite intensely—journaling played (and continues to play) a huge part in my own personal journey of self-discovery.

When you start to know yourself, and what you want / where you’d like to go / who you’d like to be in life…it gives you a very real and stable kind of inner self-confidence. This isn’t the type of self-confidence that comes in the form of a checklist in a glossy magazine article. It’s all you. It’s also amazing to see how different you are (in some ways) as a person, when you look back at past journal entries.

So the next time you think/feel like you just HAVE to journal—follow your instincts. You might be able to find just what you’re looking for, through journaling / taking a look at your deepest thoughts and needs/wants/desires.

P.S. My latest (private, handwritten) journal entry includes “what I want to say to (a guy on Facebook),” and a couple of ideas for future book projects.

P.P.S. The “guy on Facebook” = the same guy in the handwritten journal excerpt above.
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Author Bio:

Jess identifies herself as an author/artist/non-conformist. Her literary work has appeared in a diverse range of publications, such as Word Riot, ITCH Magazine, and The Battered Suitcase. She is currently working on the SINS07 series, as well as an urban fantasy project featuring cyberpunk elves. Her novella, The Devilin Fey, hit #1 in Amazon’s “Hot New Releases in Bargain Books” in July 2010.

Website: www.jesscscott.com
SINS07: www.sins07.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jesscscott
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jesscscott
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CONTEST CLOSED 9/9/10