MHdiaries is a simplified guide to infuse literary structure into personal diary postings.
Question?
Have you ever pondered how history will remember you? Will your bio read like the synopsis of a novel detailing a journey of achievements, goals, struggles and sacrifices? Or...will there only be an obituary, diminished to one paragraph written in haste by others while in mourning? Will a headshot photo and a few sentences be the only account of your existence for the rest of eternity? What legacy will you leave behind? What stories, if any, will be told about you centuries from today?
Introducing ... MHdiaries.
By sprinkling the main elements of storytelling into daily diary posts, the chances of a captivating read increases. The ultimate goal? To make the narrative of your life gripping and memorable for future generations, whether as a bestselling novel or solely your family tree.
Do not leave it up to others.
You have to write it yourself.
The process is easy. First, record random daily entries on the fly as inspirations arise. Later, during quiet moments, juxtapose your captured thoughts up against checklists containing generally accepted practices in creative writing.
This comparison reveals possible ways to introduce:
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plot – also referred to as storyline, is the sequence of events where each affects the next through the principle of cause and effect. It typically consists of an introduction to a normal world, rising action, climax, falling action and an ultimate resolution.
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setting - the time, place and social environment;
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characterization - the way you reveal attributes about friends, family and yourself;
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point of view (POV) - the camera lens in which the diary entries are posted;
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style - the word choice, syntax and tone;
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theme - what the diary entries in general tend to be about, the subtle message within, such as 'dealing with adversity', 'beating the odds', 'turning your life around' or 'narcissism to benevolence';
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mood/voice - repeated ranges of emotions such as whimsical, philosophical or expressing compassion;
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symbols - people, objects, images or words having meanings other than traditional use;
“Any regrets, you ask?
Looking back over my life,
I simply approached every day
as a new story to be told.
Now in hindsight and with failing memory,
I regret not writing it down.”
~ an anonymous undocumented hero's regret
NOTE: For simplicity, subsequent references to 'diary' also refer to 'journal'.