![The Writer's [Inner] Journey](/wp-content/themes/thesis_151/custom/images/header2.png "The Writer's [Inner] Journey")
I used to be an intense journal-er. I have filled hundreds of journals (the cute ones with decorative covers) that were big enough to acc
ommodate my somewhat large (understatement) handwriting, yet small enough to throw into my purse. But these smaller journals and my proclivity to process my feelings on the page meant that I was blowing through these lovely books in a week. I soon switched to notebooks (college rule), which I learned to love, and which lasted longer. Though if a journal catches my eye—like the one to the right, I’ll get it, love it and use it up.
My switch to notebooks coincided with my entry into the field of writing. That was about, er, 20 years ago. I’d be in the midst of processing the mess of my feelings when all of a sudden I realized I could do something with them beyond working through them. An essay. A book perhaps. I started seeing opportunities.
I still keep 
a journal to help me find my truth in big and small ways. But as a writer, I keep one to sort through these truths and my feelings around them before I sit down to compose a piece of writing that is more craft based. This helps me separate my feelings from my work.
That’s how and why I do it. How about you? I’m asking the question thanks to food writer Stephanie Stiavetti, creator and blogger at the wonderful Wasabimon!.
Stephanie emailed me, raising the question about journaling and the individual preferences of writers and creatives. Who does it and who doesn’t—why or why not? She’ll tell you the whole story later this week, when she kicks off The Journal Diaries in earnest. After her, this column will feature other guests to share their take on the journal.
Until then, keep your pen to the paper.
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This is so interesting to think about, Meredith. And it’ll be interesting to read about it, AND contribute to the dialog. Looking forward to it!
I’ve been writing (and sometimes drawing) in journals since 1978. It’s the first thing I do in the morning, as I drink my cup of tea. I also write during the day.
I’m not a professional writer at present ( I did work as a journalist for a short time before going into visual art, then the computer field). I’m still a “renaissance man”, always working on various creative projects.
Writing helps me clarify my thinking, get ideas, access feelings better. It’s also keeps the very important skill of writing alive and agile.
I used to write & draw in those black-cover journal books with the unlined paper. These were especially important when I was focused on art. Then I switched back to legal pads. Along the way I got a degree in philosophy. I have boxes full of these journals and pads.
Now I write on a computer. I started doing that in the 90′s. The advantage of this is the ability to easily find something I wrote about. The disadvantage is that it’s more linear, and drawing is not part of the process. However having access to all my journals as searchable text is a great advantage.
I don’t understand people that don’t write (every day). It’s like breathing to me. However I also find it’s important to do things that are non-verbal and get me “out of myself”, like photography and being in nature. The way to get good, fresh ideas is to clear the mind. But writing cal also help one to “get perspective”.
Sheryl: Thanks for visiting. I’m looking forward to your [opposite?] take!
Eric: Great analogy…writing, breathing. I relate to that.
Sounds exciting. Looking to getting into the nitty gritty.
I’m not a constant journal keeper. The need strikes when I need to work out a conflict in my life. Journaling brought me to the realization that my marriage was falling apart. The words I put on paper night after night, also gave the the power to make a change.
I have lots of thoughts on journaling, as I went from being a very, very avid journaler to not journaling at all. I love this feature
Ah, the journal. I’ve gotten into long discussions with other writers about whether it’s better to write in a paper journal or type into a computer – everyone has their preference.
And I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one with large handwriting. I remember taking finals in college, writing in blue books. My teachers would always say, “well you filled the requisite ten pages, but your writing is so… big.”
Ryan, have you seen these things?
http://amzn.to/91gNs9
They’re supposed to record your notes as you write so that you can put them on your computer. Never used one, but my curiosity is definitely piqued!
Um, I think you should get a commission for showing that lovely dog journal, I want one and they’re out of stock until September 15! I’ve been journaling since I was in the 5th grade. Unfortunately, I threw most of my journals away from those tween/teen years. Too painful at the time, but now I wish I had them. I write my journal with pen to paper, I think it was Natalie Goldberg who describes writing with a pen as an extension of self. I also keep small notebooks and journal my work.
I have a huge box filled with my childhood journals. In fact, I’ve read selections from said journals as part of a comedy event called Mortified. You should check the website: GetMortified.com. It’s pretty horrifying, but I figured it’s good practice for when I do a book reading someday.
I wrote in journals when I was younger, but I’ve since destroyed them all. Burned them, actually. Once I began writing professionally, I found it MUCH harder to journal. It amps me up, rather than mellows me out. So, I haven’t written in a journal for some 20 years.
Though, I suppose in some ways my blog is journal-like.
My parents gave me my first diaries and journals for Christmas when I was a child. As in, hint, hint, writing is good. No wonder I became a writer!
What a great idea, Meredith. I have a lot of angst-filled journals from my younger days – lord help me if my kids ever find and read them. I’m a big fan of Natalie Goldberg, and was always in awe that she filled up notebook after notebook, then set them all out on the steps of her apartment and didn’t care one wit if the neighbor read them. At least, I think that’s how the story went…
I look forward to The Journal Diaries. Will it include actual journal entries? I’d love that! Or is that way too personal? Maybe we should all take a page from Natalie Goldberg and just throw it all out there for all to see. Well, except my kids and my younger-days journals, that is.
I used to, but blogging killed it for me. I’ve tried and wanted to keep journals again–and maybe I will. Things happen that I want to remember and that I know I am not going to blog about. But then I just don’t make the time …
Thank you, everyone!
Jane: I love that idea about posting journal pages but, um, don’t know if I’d be brave enough! I have to check my “archives.” Of course if anyone would like to then, by all means. I once went to a 1/2 day writing retreat with Natalie Goldberg and she showed us one of her journals and her handwriting was big and not in the lines – and I felt like I belonged.
Susan: Mortified sounds amazing – and guts-worthy!
Kerri: Isn’t that journal cute? I bought 2 (both used up now). I hope you get one.
Come back for Steph tomorrow!
Meredith, you mentioned to me that you’ve met songwriter Carrie Newcomer, so I’m thinking you might be interested to know that one of the merchandise items she has to go along with her latest recording (it is called Before & After) is a small journal with a line from one of the songs on the album printed on the cover. the line is ‘the greatest revolution is a simple change of heart.’ gentle hint for her listeners to write their own stories…
I have one journal next to my bed that’s your garden variety journal, then another in my purse for less personal thoughts. But lately I’ve been ignoring both, this reminds me I need to be writing in them more. I love reading over my journals from when I was young–there are moments I’m sure I thought I’d always remember but if I hadn’t recorded them….
I journaled off and on when I was younger. Now, when i get an urge, I try to turn a feeling into a scene or jot down a note for fiction.
This new addition sounds great!
I used to journal a lot. Then my brother would find it and I’d see it was fodder for discussion around the dinner table. Or my mom would find it when I was at school. I was “read” more then than now.
My idea of journaling now is my blog I guess. But it comes and goes. I look forward to reading more..
Kerry – great tips, thx.
Kristen – yes, rereading my journals after time away provides “enlightenment” (sometimes!)
Claudine – you made me laugh! too funny
Peggy – love this
This is such a good idea, Meredith. I’m looking forward to your launch.
Alisa – That’s interesting that blogging killed it for you. I’ve always wanted to be an avid blogger, as I felt that then my journal-like writing would have a public connection. But I still always want or need to do writing that’s just for me (for the reasons in my earlier post), and if I do blogging as well (which takes more time to create a more polished and publicly-consumable “product”), then that’s at least twice as much time spent writing.
If I didn’t have to make a living, maybe I’d be a blogger…
I do end up spending a great deal of time writing emails and postings to Facebook (and Twitter for a while) in any case, hehe. It’s fun and I want to tell people about ideas, insights, or things I’ve seen and heard…
Us writers are addicted to our own thoughts and thinking other people would be interested.
Like Donna, I tend to journal when I’m going through a rough patch and need to work things out on paper. I haven’t done much journaling lately, though – I guess that’s a good thing!
Fantastic idea Meredith. I can’t wait to read about this. I’m so journal crazy, I have a family journal, one for each kid, and one for myself…
I have a journal for my left hand and one for my right hand. And left and right leg. Eyes too.
My dog looked at me jealouly but I simply don’t have time for her.
I do write about my plants sometime though. I jut can’t resist chronicaling the ongoing drama.