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| Photo credit: owly9 on Flickr |
So when my feeble attempts at maintaining a journal (and there have been many) fell flat, I felt a little silly. I was a writer, for crying out loud. Why was it so difficult to think up of a couple entries a week to document my life?
I think the conclusion I eventually came to was that while I had no problem spending hours a day in made-up worlds, torturing my characters or writing blog posts, for that matter, I just didn't find writing about my day, or week, or whatever span of time, nearly as interesting. I'd write a couple journal entries over the course of a few days, then get distracted, and, ultimately, bored.
As much as I wanted it to be, journal-writing just didn't come naturally to me. It was something I had to force, something that I didn't want to force. I conceded to trying to write just a couple entries a year (and sometimes less...oh well).
Maybe in the future I'll be able to maintain a journal or maybe I'll forever be one of those writers who just...doesn't. But while writing a journal isn't something that works particularly well for me, I know there are many writers out there who swear by it, who find writing the entries cathartic, or who just enjoy having something to look back on later in life (which I completely understand—it's one of the main reasons I still hope to one day pick up the habit of writing journal entries).
There is a lesson in all this, I think, namely that even the most basic of writing habits doesn't work for everyone. You see, that's the great thing about writers (well, the great thing about everyone, really)—we're all so diverse and interesting and what works for one writer doesn't necessarily work for another and that's ok. It's something to be celebrated, even, because how boring would it be if everyone worked exactly the same way?
We all think, speak and process the world in different ways, which is what makes our writing so unique. And I wouldn't want it to be any different.
Do you keep a journal? Why or why not?
43 comments:
I keep a journal but not often. it's just so I have a written record of things that have happened to me. Memories decay so I'd like to have something concrete that can remind me of what I used to be like. I don't write in it often though.
That's exactly the reason I've wanted to keep a journal. Like you though, I don't write entries nearly enough (although I suspect you probably write more in it than I do).
I used to keep one as a teenager, but I was bad at it. My ramblings were utterly boring and pointless. Probably should burn them.
P.S. Love your picture choice. :D It's a Finnish calender.
I wouldn't say burn them...at least you can look back and laugh about it...right? Right. Let's go with that.
I thought it was a great picture, and I was looking through the comments I learned a little about the similarity between Swedish and Finnish, so it won bonus points for interesting information. :)
I used to keep a couple in high school. Sometimes I read through them and also want to burn them lol. I think it's just not my thing anymore, though. I'd rather spend that time working on what I really love: novels.
I do keep a small journal with writing goals, ideas, and such. I'm into a journal for that kind of purpose.
I kept journals in my teen years and in my early 20s but eventually stopped. I keep a journal now but not the kind you're talking about. It's more of an idea book but I will also record my thoughts or reflections when something pisses me off or when something significant happens in my life. I mostly use it to jot down essay or blog post ideas. I plan to start journalist more. Thanks for this post.
I do. The reason why I keep a journal (that only gets about one entry a week now, as opposed to every single day like I did for years) is because 1) I write down things I want to remember. Sometimes I don't write down little embarrassing things because I know I'll forget them anyway, so why should I write them down? :P and 2) I use my journal to get through my really awful times. Keeping a journal during, let's say, 2010 may have literally saved my life. (It was an incredibly dark time.) However, I don't get any joy out of journaling. Probably because I associate it with those dark times now.
I imagine your journaling took on a cathartic nature during that difficult period of your life. Although it makes sense that the association between journaling and that time could make the whole experience of journaling less enjoyable, would you say you still find it cathartic?
I have always kept a journal and looking back on them know, especially in the last 4 years, I seemed to have used them for venting purposes. And, I don't put any pressure on myself to write in my journal, just when ever the need arises. And, even today, if something positive happens in my life, I write a blog post about it, but save the venting and negativity for my personal journal. The goals is to just get the stuff out of my head. So, unless my life becomes is a constant stream of wine and roses (how boring would that be) i forsee me always having a journal for this purpose.
I'll go in spurts, but have long kept journals:to aid me in processing life, to help me deal with issues, to remember things I've learned or very special days, and venting, too. Journals are great for venting. Some journals have been letters to God, which are basically prayers. Others are when God speaks to my heart. These are my favorites, and ones I go back over periodically.
Journalling was one of my first tastes of writing, so I do enjoy it. But I don't do it as often as I used to now that I have a blog. :)
I toyed with journal writing for years but it wasn't until I started keeping a Writing Notebook in January 2010 that the concept stuck with me. What changed things for me was that I quit thinking of it as a chore or obligation and started telling myself it was critical for my writer's soul and mental health!! I keep a word document open on the computer and jot down anything and everything related to writing. Books I'm reading, tv shows or movies I watched, story ideas, blog post ideas, notes about the craft, conversations about the craft, character sketches, progress made on WIPs and what I need to accomplish for the week/month. Now I can track ideas, search subjects, and stay on task - and I have a working history of each project as well as a record of my creative history! :)
I'm like you. I tried to keep one, would stop writing in it and never get back to it. It's never drawn me in -- always felt like I was doing it because everyone expected writers to write in journals. Plus, if I'm writing, I'd rather spend time writing something that's going to be published.
My journal used to be so much better than it is now! All I seem to manage is an illegible scrawl over a few lines, mainly to keep myself focused on the good things of the day! No poetry there, I'm afraid, but it does help the mind :)
I think that's a really smart way of using a journal--it allows you to privately release some of the pent up emotions without putting any pressure on the need to write another journal entry. Great idea. :)
I think it's really wonderful when you can record that kind of special moment so that you can look back on it again later on. Sounds like a fantastic emotional release.
I actually hadn't really considered the tie between journal writing and blogging, but I suppose in a sense they are similar, especially in the sense of its consistency as far as post-writing goes.
I really like the idea of a record of your creative history--what a cool idea! I imagine it must be pretty interesting to go back and get insight into your process with previous WIPs--especially as your attitudes and processes develop and change throughout your journey as a writer.
Someone earlier said something similar that I tend to agree with, namely, that if I'm going to spend the time writing, I'd rather it be working on a novel. It's slightly different from what you said (as I have no guarantees that anything besides my blog posts will ever be published) but the same idea, I think.
It doesn't have to be poetic to be cathartic. I think the ability to use journaling as a release is fantastic. :)
I used to have an on-and-off journal in the form of the site 750 Words.
Basically, it was me rambling on about how I needed to stop procrastinating as a writer and how I have so many anxieties for three pages.
Since I broke my writing streak while on vacation, I'm thinking of quitting the site. I think it might be serving as a procrastinating tool, for various reasons.
Hmm, that's interesting. I think if writing about your anxieties helped release some of those pent-up emotions, then I'd say continue it. But if you found it didn't really help very much and it largely became a procrastination tool, then maybe focus on your writing instead. You never know when rambling can actually help, though. :)
I think one reason it became a procrastination tool is the fact that it encourages you to write it all in one sitting.
One problem though, is if I put it first thing in the morning, I sort of put everything else off because I'm paranoid that if I start writing with 750 Words, I'd be interrupted and penalized, not to mention my stats would be wonked up (reporting that I spent several hours to write three pages).
On the other hand, if I put it off, I end up getting lazy and not using it for writing, which was its original intention.
So I'm going to try putting it off and see if I can focus on my blogging and novel writing better without the fifteen-minute daily commitment.
Ah, I didn't realize 750 Words was timed with stats and everything...I imagine that adds another dynamic that might be a little distracting if you just wanted to use it for journaling. Regardless, I wish you the best with your blogging and novel-writing! :)
I've kept a journal since I was five years old. I go through stages where I write a lot, and stages where I don't write as much. Journaling helps me keep my sanity--a situation that may seem stressful becomes less so once it's written down. And it's also fun to write about the happy times and then read about them years later. I'm amazed at the small details in my life I've forgotten about until I read an old entry.
Your last two sentences there is exactly the reason I wanted to journal--our memories are far from perfect and I thought it'd be special have something to look back on. Unfortunately it didn't work out for me, but I think it's a really sweet sentiment.
Yeah, seeing the progression of my personal creative history and the history of projects as I learn new concepts is crazy cool.
For example, I have an 18 month history of one particular short story in all its various forms, all the notes and ideas and changes that got it to The End! Now, it's an exception to the rule, because I'm a pretty fast writer - from concept to on the page - but this one fought me and I love reading back over how I kept rolling with the punches until I got it under control and turned out the story I had envisioned from the start! :)
That's great! Kind of like a "behind the scenes" feature. Very cool!
I would twitch every time I'd even think of keeping a journal, and commend those who do. In fact, I bow to them, because it cannot and will never click with me. It might have to do with the fact that I'm very fantasy-oriented, and seek fantasy to get away from real life. So, to me (like you), documenting real life just isn't as interesting (or necessary). There are some memories that are great to keep, however, and are wonderful to write out, if you get the chance or some really deep motivation (Like money, maybe? lol).
I don't keep a journal. I barely have time to blog. More power to the people who do, though. I know many writers who journal.
I completely understand you. It's too bad, really, because I would have liked to have something written about my life to look back on, but for now at least, fantasy trumps reality in my writing.
It's a common thing for writers for various reasons--but it's definitely not a requirement. Whatever works for you. :)
I used to keep a journel. Then I looked back at it one day and thought I sounded completely crazy. I still have them. Maybe I should use some of it in my writing. What typically sounds nuts in real life doesn't so much in story writing.
That's somewhat of an amusing observation, but I suppose you're right. A lot of things accepted in fiction would sound pretty insane in everyday life.
I've been writing in journals since I was twelve (I'll be twenty-two in less than two weeks) and the main reason I started was to have somewhere to talk about what I was going through as I grew up. In a journal I could write all the things I couldn't tell my family or my friends. It is very cathartic.
I've been having a tougher time more recently keeping it up so it's not uncommon for me to go a week or so without updating it. But any entry I do make nowadays is about what story I'm working because I feel like the journal is a reflection of the enthusiasm for the project. It's has the excitement of a new project that people in my real life just don't.
I also tape tons of pictures in my journals, mainly from magazines and newspapers, which is something I do for my future children.
Sounds like you've figured out a system that works really well for you. I find it really interesting that you tape pictures into your journal. What kind of pictures do you choose to save?
Anything and everything gets taped into the journal. If I'm in a certain mood I'll make collages or if I see a picture I really like in a magazine I'll cut it out. I'm also a HUGE movie person so there are a lot of discussion about a film I've seen with pictures and reviews.
Wow! Sounds like you would like Pinterest. :)
Dear Ava,
I loved this topic so much that I wanted to write a post of my own on it. Thank you so much for giving me that opportunity :)
Here is my reply:
http://notingthemorningdew.blogspot.com/2012/06/writer-and-their-journal.html
Hudson x
Thank you so much, Hudson! The post was great (I left a comment there) and once again, I appreciate all those wonderful things you said. :)
I have been through stages of keeping a journal/diary and then deserting it for as long as I can remember. I keep a diary for a year, then have a year off then return to it. It's always strange seeing how much one has matured.
On the other hand, I have a huge colony of notebooks, in which I record ideas for blog posts, sketches, memories and favourite words that I come across. I let my notes be spontaneous, for I think that whenever one tries to censure one's writing the it automatically loses its freedom and fluidity.
I find the assumption that English students must be voracious readers rather off the mark too-I study English and I like to be well-informed when I pick a book. To read on university prospectus' that a prospective student must be a frenetic, passionate consumer of all types of literature is really quite an odd proposition to me.
I consider writing as much as an integral part to my degree as reading; though this could be my consciousness of maintaining creativity in a physical form.
Very interesting post!
Christobel x
www.calico-casa.blogspot.co.uk
Hello Christobel! I too have found the process of keeping writing notebooks for various notes/ideas to be entirely different from journal-writing. The former allows me to explore fictional ideas while the latter restricts me to reality.
As for English students being voracious readers, I actually wrote a post a while back about why I believe writers (not necessarily English students) must be avid readers. While I think it's great for everyone to read, the importance of doing so depends, I think, on what your goals are. If your goals are writing-related, then I truly believe reading is essential. Just my thoughts. :)
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
I like this article..I am so excited with your blog..
journal writing
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