Hi Bene
I've also been journalling - I did a bit before I had a reading with Erin, but then much more regularly after that. When I first started, it also felt like I was "making things up", especially since all I could hear in my head was my own voice

, but I've since learned to trust in the process and learned a few things along the way...
God, the angels and our guides use our imagination to communicate with us. So, yes, it feels like we're making it up because we're used to using our imagination ourselves to visualise/daydream/create. When I started, it just felt like what I'd always been doing - not different enough to feel like communication with guides (not sure what I was initially expecting? voices booming from the sky?!), but I've since realised that (for me, at least) it is a much more gentle form of communication, and now I can feel subtle energy differences between different guides. I'm sure that the more I carry on, the better I'll get at it, but it did require patience (something I'm working on in this lifetime!). Sometimes, when I start typing, I can tell it is actually just me. But I carry on, and eventually I get out of my own way, and then my higher self and guides can chat

How long do you type for when you're journalling (ie maybe you're stopping too soon)?
Something else I've noticed is that I really feel "in the flow" when I'm journalling answers from the guides. Whereas my own questions are sometimes all over the place and not well expressed, my guides are much more erudite that I am (see, they're here now, using words like erudite

)
What style of communication do you prefer with people normally? My own preference is for email, so writing and journalling come naturally to me. But maybe if you're the type of person who likes to chat one-to-one or on the phone, you could try speaking to your guides, either in your head or out loud if no-one is around

And then step back and wait and see what pops into your head. I know you've read my post on the archangels - that's kind of what I did there. Again, it feels like you're making it up, but it does work. I've been trying this as well lately, and getting better at it. It means that I can connect at times even when I don't have paper and pencil (or computer) in front of me.
It can also help to visualise your guides as you're talking/writing to them. In my reading with Erin, she gave me a description of one. Since then, I've chatted to a few more. I have an idea of what they look like - do they really look like this? Am I making it up (see above)?! Regardless, the way I imagine them helps me to connect with them.
I think it's great that you keep trying, and would urge you to continue. It is developing a skill. You mentioned in your reply to my archangel post that your hair stands up etc so you obviously are sensitive to energy at some level. The more you practice, the better and easier it will get.
And Erin, thank you again for the reading - it was a wonderful catalyst to increasing my own intuitive skills and connecting with my guides, angels and God.