Benefits of Keeping a Diary

In Virginia Woolf's diary the one thing I take away from them is not her battle with old age but how she tested new writing styles and idea's in her diary entries. If no one else sees what you write their is no harm in trying something new and maybe you will like that new style in the end. If you are not being graded or being critiqued by an outside source you have no limitations on what to try and this is why they are so important to writers. Writing in a diary can also be beneficial to keeping your skills honed. Last week we were introduced to a illustrator of children's books and one thing that caught my interest   was the fact that he said if he did not draw everyday he would have a hard time getting back into the groove of writing. If you write in a diary everyday even if it is a silly entry that makes no sense at all you will keep yours skills honed. Another benefit of keeping a diary is using it as a form of therapy. A diary could be used as a way to just release all your fears and other troubles without being judged. In conclusion while I do not own a diary I do see the many benefits a writer could have from owning one.