A Return To Journalling

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I stumbled across a great web site a couple of days ago. Create Write Now which has a free e book download and loads of info on the joy of journal writing.

And then, I came across a post, Keeping A Journal over on The Change Blog, and then another at Writability and at this stage I’m thinking, is somebody trying to tell me something? Lol

So BAM I’m back journalling lol, and I lay the blame right at the feet of Diana M. Raab 🙂 For my birthday treat, hubby took me to Foyles in London on a book buying spree, where I picked up this…..(I won’t tell you how many times I have attempted to pick up that pen on the front cover LMAO!)

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What can I say? Loved it loved it loved it! Read the back and tell me you’re not interested lol

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Ok, so it says “Notebook” but, the chapters inside refer to “Journal” and include sections like The Journal as Tool & The Journal as Muse so the writers who have contributed don’t seem to place a distinction between a “writers note book” and a “writers journal”.

For me, the difference is that my notebook, I would be fairly happy for anyone to read (so long as they don’t pinch my ideas lol), but my journal? *sharp intake of breath* I’ll cut your hands off if you read all that personal stuff without my permission 😉

Anyway, so I’ve started journalling again, and it’s been good, yeah, really good, I’m trying not to whine see 😉 Trying to be a bit more constructive lol.

So, dear reader, do you journal? Do you think there’s a difference between a writers notebook and a writers journal?

33 thoughts on “A Return To Journalling”

  1. I’ve never kept a personal journal of my thoughts and my life events. I don’t see them as that important, and I have no plans to write a book about my own life.

    However, when it comes to keeping a notebook with ideas for my books, then I most certainly have that. It’s a MUST for all writers. I have a little black notebook that I keep with me at all times. It comes in especially handy when I’m on break at work and inspiration strikes. Also, it allows me to get my ideas out on paper so I can organize them a bit before translating them into book form.

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    • Really, now that is interesting Chris. I became a writer of fiction FROM being a journal writer, it just seemed like a natural progression.

      Oh gawd no, I have no intention of sharing all my whiney self pity shit with the world, EVER! Lol

      I totally agree about the notebook, I don’t go anywhere without mine 🙂

      Xx

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      • I learned my love of science-fiction and fantasy just from reading it. Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are my favorite, and first ever fantasy authors. I was especially excited when I was able to interview Margaret for my blog!

        Also, something I found interesting, if you have Gmail, then you should get Google Drive. It allows you to access your Google Docs from your desktop. So, if you have a phone or tablet of some sort, just upload your WIP to your Google Drive and you can have access to your WIP(s) virtually anywhere! So, that’s KIND of like a writer’s journal, haha.

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  3. I’ve been kind of lax with my journaling lately, but I’m a journaler from way back. Since like middle school. I always consider a journal to be my personal thoughts. I have a notebook that I write ideas in, and while some of my ideas are a bit racy, others can read.

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  4. Great post! Great example of why you deserve to be nominated for the Reader’s Choice Award. What goes around, comes around. I know you’ve received a billion of these, but wanted you to know how much I appreciate you and your blog. If you’ve forgotten, you can get the instructions from today’s post on my blog. Congrats and keep those great posts coming!

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  5. Looks like an interesting book. Yes, I journal and for me there is a difference between my journal and my notebooks. My journal is strictly for anything I want to write about in my life. My notebooks I write down poems, story ideas, articles, and any other writing specific related things. I use my notebooks more for brainstorming. I laughed when I saw this post, because I just finished a book about journaling tonight and did a blog post about it. Neat coincidence. 🙂

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  6. Funny that you are thinking about journaling and I am considering burning every single one of my journals. I’ve written in a journal for at least 30 years and I recently questioned whether that is healthy for me to hold onto all of them. My journals are packed full of my personal experiences with sexual abuse, depression, PTSD, addictions, various therapies and my trials and tribulations with antidepressants. I saved it all with the goal of one day putting it in a straight, coherent line depicting my life history from then to now. HA! That is fanciful thinking. Life has been difficult and I don’t believe I can explain it in the linear fashion of my fantasies. It occurred to me very recently, I might be better off, burning the past and moving forward with the future, which feels more manageable and intelligible. Follow this link if you’d like to see a photo of my many journals. http://mydepressionchronicles.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/good-bye-to-my-past-47/

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    • Thanks for stopping by honey, and let me start by offering you some (((((hugs))))) It sounds like you have been through so much 😦

      I started keeping journals about 10 years ago. Then in 2008 I went through an absolutely horrendous time, which I journalled about. At the time it was good, to get it all off my chest, but then, in 2009 I suddenly realised that it wasn’t good for me to have those journals sitting there, on my shelf. Like a constant reminder.

      Sooooo, I spent a day going through them, reliving the hell basically, and then I burnt the ones that were painful. It was VERY therapeutic. Like I was letting go of those feelings. And then….I stopped journalling all together lol.

      So I totally know where you’re coming from, and I say, if it feels right, then it’s what you must do 🙂 Do I regret it? Yeah, sometimes, but then I remind myself that if I ever re-read those particular journals it would bring the pain back instantly. I don’t want that, I want to move on with my life.

      I’m now ready to go back to journalling, and it feels good, REALLY good, I’m enjoying it. Ok, I’ve whined a little bit, but I’m more positive about my life now, than I was in 2009 & 2010 🙂

      Good luck honey 🙂

      Xx

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  7. THANK YOU !!!!!
    Yet again you’ve managed to inspire me, I use to write a dairy for many years and had stopped, but I am now itching to get back into it, guess what I need to go and buy this morning? I’m not sure how you manage to find these thought provoking and instructional websites, but boy aren’t I glad you do 🙂 – so a big thank you for introducing me to “How to Do Everything and Be Happy” and now “The Change Blog” lots of love xxx

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  8. I have kept a journal since I was a little girl–maybe about seven or so. I still have one, although I write much less frequently now. 🙂 I love that book–hadn’t heard of it before, but I’m very curious to see what those authors have to say. 😀

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  9. I journal as a way to record my thoughts. As a writer, I can get darn philosophical. My writer’s notebook is another thing, though. I take it with me wherever I go and it serves many purposes. I jot down words I like, sketch pictures, write reviews of books I’ve read, brainstorm ideas for future works, and the list goes on.
    I fear if anyone were to read it, it would be like dumpster diving, trashy and stinky.

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  10. Love your post. I love my journal. You can write whatever you like, you can even swear if you want to!! I too burnt some that were from a painful period of my life. I read them, felt they were no longer necessary to keep, burnt them and moved on. 🙂

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  11. I think my blog is about as much of a journal as I want to keep!

    I don’t have the time to do anything other than the blog and other projects. I use a notebook for ideas and such, and that is all I have time for.

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  13. If there’s a difference, I must be doing it wrong! I have journals and notebooks everywhere and I try to assign them themes, but honestly I scribble in whatever is closest to me when an epiphany hits. 🙂

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  14. I’m the opposite. I’ve written a journal on and off since 1989 and have really picked it up this again year. I have a writing notebook, but have no idea where it is; a very good sign that it doesn’t really fit in my life. I’m starting to think my biggest contribution to writing will be my journals rather than novels!

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