So Why a Paper Journal?

Why do so many journal keepers, writers, and writing instructors insist you keep your journal in longhand form? Rather than try to convince you, I’ll just give you the discussion points.

Why Paper Over Electronic?

• Physical Writing slows your thoughts; allows for reflection and better capture.
• Satisfies the need for tactile sensation of pen on paper.
• Makes journaling personal and separate from daily and computer routine.
• Never confuse journal time with “work time” or surfing time (important for those of us working on computers).
• It’s portable.
• It doesn’t require electricity or outside power of any kind.
• Paper is easier on the eyes and body than sitting in a chair looking at a screen.
• There is a closer connection to the right brain if you are writing by hand.
• Often we are less tempted to edit longhand than we are typing.
• You have a physical record of your work that is attractive and easy to reference.
• Margin doodles can generate great things.

Why a journal instead of a discount store notebook?

• It’s definitely more attractive.
• It’s much more durable, especially in the covers and binding.
• The paper is of better quality. This means less hand fatigue and a longer lasting record.
• It might cause you to take your commitment to write a little more seriously.
• It’s better for the environment than a discount “paper mill” notebook.
• Your archives are identifiable (and attractive); “I wrote in the William Morris journal in June.”
• You can develop an attachment to the cover and appearance, kick-starting the “write” frame of mind when you pick your journal up.
• Your journal should be personal, distinctive, and reflective of you.
• You and your commitment to write are worth it.

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Keep a Journal, Not a Diary

The term “journaling” can confuse people.  Different types of journals have popularity in different sectors:  the creative journal, the therapeutic journal, the writer’s journal…all valuable uses of pen and paper, but confusing to someone just starting out.

In the simplest terms, to journal is to record something of yourself on paper.  Official definitions include:

Merriam-Webster, definition C:  a record of experiences, ideas, or reflections kept regularly for private use.

Thefreedictionary.com, definition A:  A personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis.

Wordreference.com: a daily written word of (usually personal) experiences and observations.

A journal is a written record of experiences, ideas, reflections and observations.  it is not just what you did, but how you feel about it, reacted to it, or what you thought.  The term is often confused with “diary.”  However, diary in the U.S. is used more akin to a datebook.  (Diary in Europe is similar, though the term “diarist” can mean anything from keeping a datebook to keeping a journal).

Your journal is not a date book in which you record single line comments on your day’s activities, nor is it a diary in the common use of the word.  Your journal is a window into your soul.  Consider the contrast:

Diary/Date Book Entry:   had lunch @ cafe so and such.  Ate grilled chicken and made notes.  Met a friend for drink after work and picked up the dry cleaning.

Journal Entry:  I ate lunch alone today at the new cafe down the street.  The atmosphere was so lively and the service so good that I had difficulty concentrating on my notes.  My eyes kept wandering to the play of green foliage against mahogany wood, glossy with wax and care.  I imagined the wait staff as perfectly trained to serve royalty…

You get the idea.  Not that you ate lunch and where, but what you saw, felt, observed, and how the atmosphere relaxed or excited you, and the impressions you carried away with you.

The distinction is important.  Your journal needs to contain your reactions…your observations and reflections (and feelings) about ideas, experiences, and events.  It is your reactions to and feelings about events that will produce a written record of personal values, morals and beliefs…a road map of common threads and repeated errors or successes.  IT is this type of record that reveals aspects of your personality and character.

If you have trouble writing in your journal, use a sentence prompt.  You could easily fill an entire journal with the single prompt of “I feel happy when…”  There are several good sites with writing prompts designed to help writers and journal keepers to get their pens moving.  Don’t be afraid to start with a prompt, and don’t be afraid to continue writing after you feel like stopping.  You might be surprised at what is there “beyond the wall.”

Journaling is an excellent way to process your life and emotions…a way to reflect and make sense of things.  You are writing only for yourself, so feel free to cover any topic.  Just remember the distinction between a diary entry and a journal entry.  One will give you a record of what you did on a particular day.  the other will give you a record of what you thought, felt, and learned that, even years later, can bring that moment fresh to your mind.  Use your journal as a window into your mind and heart.  It is, indeed, a window to your soul.

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Goofing Off…In My Journal

I don’t know if it is just me and my life…or if it fits for many of you, too, but lately I have felt pushed and pulled, twisted a bit, and challenged, to use my time and energies effectively…leaving me still feeling frazzled and unfinished.

So it may just be me—and I have tried some of my usual ways to quiet myself and get perspective. I cleared my schedule for most of one day, and just goofed off. It was great..took a bike ride, wrote in my journal, and did nothing that had to do with the many different tasks I have waiting for me. I had a wonderful time, and enjoyed the gorgeous day we had here in Arizona—a delightful temperature, bright sun, and the feeling of Spring already happening.

The next day I returned to my various jobs, all that I love, and yet…feel a certain edginess and lack of contentment.  What do I need? More time? More time for the jobs I do, and more time for me. Ah, there it is. More time for me.

A friend of mine has created a list of her priorities. The first one, she says, is to maintain her health. Good idea. After that, she is working on a dissertation for her PhD, so that’s next and again, good idea. After that comes making money.  That one seems to be top on my list, not because money is so important to me, but probably because it isn’t–and yet I need to earn a living, prepare for my retirement years, etc. If it were important I would do–or would have done something that brought me more money, but instead have chosen work that is meaningful, and leaves me feeling as though I have something to offer to the world.  I do believe we each are responsible for bringing more peace into the world rather than more pain. So I am certainly fulfilled at that level. I love all my different jobs–but feel some tension none the less. What is that about?

What I know is that I need to create some quiet time, away from the phone, my emails, and the constant tugs from one of my jobs in particular. I need to sit in the sunshine and write, looking squarely at my blessings, and also at those things  I do begrudgingly, while being honest with myself about what I really want. I want to take responsibility, and be clear about what I DO want and what I don’t.  I am lucky, since many in this world deal simply with what they have been given–and I actually have choices.

While I take some time here to acknowledge and rediscover my process, I hope that to whatever extent you may identify with this and that you, too, will review what you like and don’t like about what is going on in your life right now. Open your journal…and first let yourself “goof off.”  As you do, the real issues will begin to emerge…and new perspective will become evident.  I know I’m feeling better already.

Sue Meyn, L.P.C.
Therapeutic Writing: Simple and Profound
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Your Writing Space

Gone are the days of the writer’s garret. Unless your attic is climate controlled, it’s probably not where you want to spend much time. I wonder how many other writers dream of old houses for the nooks and crannies we could claim as our own?

Today’s modern writer uses a spare bedroom, the couch corner, or perhaps the kitchen table. Successful or fortunate writers might have offices, a carriage house/outbuilding, or a converted garage.

What is important in a writing space? Why should we cultivate space for our craft?

Space that is reserved for writing 1) Keeps you organized; 2) signals to your brain that it is time to write; 3) Keeps your projects safe and centrally located; 4) Communicates to your family that you are writing. Working. Do not disturb.

A designated spot in your house would have room for a filing cabinet or storage boxes, a table or desk, perhaps a bulletin board or even a white board, easy access to paper, pens, printer, and possibly music. If you use a computer a lot, your table or desk must be able to accommodate both your monitor and room to jot notes, edit, and set a coffee cup.

Successful writing spots have been created out of large closets, pantries, spare bedrooms, odd angles, laundry rooms, the space underneath stairs, and closed in porches. If you have small children, the ability to watch them will have an effect on your location. The same goes for noisy roommates you might wish to avoid while working.

Make your space off limits to others. If you can’t close a door on it, give some visual instructions such as removing the chair, covering the desk with a cloth, or curtaining your alcove with a tacked up shower curtain. However you accomplish it, the message you want to send is that the space is off limits and, at least to a degree, you are off limits when you are in it.

For tips on cultivating space for your writing desk, browse through some books on home offices at your favorite bookstore, or browse such sites as <a href=”http://www.homeofficebuddy.com” title=”Home Office Buddy”>Home Office Buddy</a>, <a href=”http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/office/a/officetips.htm” title=”About.com”>About.com</a>’s home office article, or <a href=”http://interiordec.about.com/od/planninganoffice/a/budgethomeoffic.htm” title=”Budget Home Office”>Budget Home Office</a>. Your solution is unique to your dwelling, lifestyle, and personality. Get creative, but always keep firmly in your mind the size of space you will need and how much privacy you hope to achieve. Examine each possible solution against these two criteria. Get the best match you can.

Here’s a list of common items for a writer’s space:

*Computer
*Paper (notebooks, journals, loose paper, printer paper)
*Pens and pencils
*Printer
*Calendar
*Cork board & push pins
*Filing cabinet or desktop file holder
*File folders
*Colored pencils or markers
*Space for coffee mug or favorite beverage
*A task lamp
*A source of music (the computer, iPod, etc).

Keep in mind, all that is required is you, something to write on, something to write with, and enough light to stay between the lines. If you start with that, great! You can always add later as you need to.

Create your space. Make it a place you want to be, but also a place in which to work. Create your modern day version of the timeless writer’s garret that meets the needs of today’s writer.

What do you do if you find the household too distracting despite a carefully chosen workspace? Well, this is part discipline and part reality check. You might need to schedule your writing during times when the household is more peaceful, or complete your editing and revising tasks during the parts of the day everyone is around, saving the concentration and composition for quieter hours.

If you absolutely cannot get work done in your space or have trouble using good space, consider borrowing a friend or relative’s apartment. If they travel a lot or work long hours, you might gain permission in exchange for bringing in mail or watering plants. The point is, you know the place and probably are comfortable there, but it’s not yours. The laundry, dishes, and dusting belong to someone else, so they are not a distraction (or excuse) for you.

You might also consider writing in a café, at a bookstore coffee bar, or at the park. While it is hard to break away from home, sometimes you just need breathing room to concentrate. It is amazing how well you can concentrate in a setting like this. Peripheral activity keeps one part of your brain happy while the other part is busy with the pen. Natalie Goldberg, author of several books on writing, including Writing Down the Bones, suggests writing in a public place such as a coffee shop and does so herself.

Sharing a den with your spouse is an option, but beware. If he uses a voice headset or you sit too close together, you must learn to tune him out. If your spouse conducts her business and personal calls from the den or has a frequently ringing phone, you must either learn to work through it or tune it out. While you can probably become deaf to some of it, you might not be able to achieve the concentration level you need. You also run the risk of ignoring the spouse when you are spoken to, causing hurt feelings.

The easiest way to cope with loved ones and distractions in your writing space is to learn to roll with them. Train yourself to keep the thread when you are interrupted or jangled by the phone. Save the periods of deep concentration for scheduled times—nap or bedtime for the kids, while the spouse is running errands, or early in the morning before anyone is awake. Some writers deliberately schedule their day job opposite the spouse (one working days, the other evenings) in order for each to have time alone as well as together (this arrangement also works well for childcare, but rarely for both writing AND childcare).

If you work in an office setting, perhaps you could stay an hour late and spend the time in pure composition. If you have a flexible schedule, head to the library and a carrel in the back.

There are ways to find concentration time for the portions of your project when you need it. However, work to create a writing space at home that provides both the access you need and the privacy you require. It is a space you will be spending a lot of time in, so don’t neglect the planning. When your space is complete, settle in and get to work.

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A Word to Writers

If you are a writer, chances are you already keep a journal of some sort. It seems a natural extension of the general need to write. However, if you are not yet a daily journal keeper, consider using various journaling techniques to improve both your quantity and quality output.

If you do not yet use the early morning technique for writing, I urge you to try it. Rise 15-45 minutes before you normally do. Before you read anything or speak to anyone, go straight to your journal and write for a minimum of 15 minutes. Dr. Klauser, in her book Writing from Both Sides of the Brain, remarked that her own output increased dramatically using this method, but also details the reasons why early morning writing helps you access your right brain directly. Dorothea Brande, in Becoming a Writer, defines early morning writing as a way to “hitch your writing arm to your unconscious mind.”

I find that early morning writing sows seeds of imagery and form that stay in my unconscious mind throughout my day. Often, in the evening, I can sit down and write an entire essay. Later, I become aware that the seeds were planted in the early morning and grew while I was distracted with my day.

Another successful technique for working through plot or character problems is to journal just before bed. Dr. Klauser advises to clearly state the problem and write down what you would like as an outcome (be as specific as you can, but don’t dictate the outcome). Repeat the desired outcome several times to yourself as you fall asleep. Your solution may well tumble out of your right brain during your morning session the following day. Kelly L Stone, in Time to Write, also includes this technique as well as directly addressing your subconscious and requesting a solution by a certain date. It is remarkable what the vast, “unused” portion of our brain can accomplish while we are occupied with living.

Journaling can help you with character sketches and development as well. Try making an entry from the perspective of the character you are working on or write a letter from one character to another.

The best use of daily journaling is keeping your writing mind limber. As an athlete must stretch and work muscles daily, so must writers keep the habits of writing. One way you can do this by writing by appointment. Vary the times every day until you become limber enough to write any time and anywhere. You should also use timed writing (commonly referred to as 10 minute timed writing or rapid writing). During this exercise, you write for a set period of time without stopping. “Keep your hand moving,” says Natalie Goldberg in Writing Down the Bones. The benefit of this exercise is to teach you to push past “the wall.”  Often, there is valuable stuff just beyond the wall that you likely will not see unless you reach for it. For further information on these techniques, read Writing Down the Bones, Becoming a Writer, and Writing from Both Sides of the Brain. All three of these books are on our recommended reading list for new writers.

If you are not currently working on a project, keeping a journal will keep your skills and mind equal to the task. When you are deep in a project, you might journal little or not at all. I find keeping a journal can take a back seat when on deadline or when putting together a book such as “Where Do I Begin? A Review of Eight Books Essential for Beginning Writers,” in which research is followed almost immediately by composition. I miss my journal during that time, and am right back to it as soon as the bulk of the composition is done. I find returning to my journal provides the necessary distance required for me to go back and begin editing or revising my work, and does it in a shorter time frame than might otherwise occur.

If you experience an urge to talk about your work, talk to your journal instead. Speaking to another person about your work often “discharges the tension” and removes the push to write it. A journal can save the day, allowing you to speak to some “other” about your work without verbalizing and loosening the strings that tie you to the piece. One word of advice for new and young writers…don’t discuss your project until after your first draft is complete. I can’t even write a full treatment of mine until the first draft is safely on paper. Don’t do anything to “discharge the tension” and lessen your drive to see it written.

Nearly all the books on our recommended reading list for new writers discuss the journal as a quality technique for the writer. Anecdotal information from writers in general confirms the value of the practice. If you are not yet keeping a journal, start today. If you are, learn a few new techniques to help your journal help you in your writing endeavors. It’s worth the effort.

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