Journal Writing and Books

As I said in my last post I have written in a journal for many years. Firstly handwritten in well-bound books, then on a computer file and more recently on my blogs (of which I have three – this one on writing, another on birding and a third on my travels).

I recently read an article about someone who doesn’t keep a journal in the traditional sense. She writes her journal entries in the books she reads!

One reason I stopped lending my books out was because when people borrowed them, they did not return them. I never saw them again. However, since I have become an avid reader, journal writer, and freelance writer, the most important reason of all why I do not lend my books out to others is because in the midst of reading them, they have become my personal journals.

She writes in her books – in the margins, on the top and bottom of the page, between paragraphs – wherever there is space to write. I’ve done a little of this over the years, and I often underline significant passages I want to find again. In longer passages I will run a pencil line down the side of the passage. I will also use asterisks liberally.

To read the whole article click here.

Journal Writing

I have been an avid journal writer for many years. I find the act of journalling to be very worthwhile and quite satisfying.

I journal for the following reasons:

  • To keep a record of events in my life. My memory is not too bad; it’s my forgettery that is the problem!
  • To clarify my thoughts on events, feelings, circumstances and decision making.
  • To leave a legacy of my thoughts to my children (who may or may not be interested in all of my rantings and ravings).
  • To make spiritual connections between events in my life and the eternal plan of things. Sometimes the entries take the form of poems or written prayers.
  • To practise and hone my writing skills.

This is not an extensive or even totally inclusive list. I’ll probably think of other reasons as the day goes by, but the above list is a starting point, and what came immediately to mind when I thought about it. In recent months, especially since I have started blogging consistently, I have made very few entries in my journal. Sometimes my blog postings have been cut and pasted into the journal file, especially my travel blog.

Forms My Journal Takes

I started off writing down my journal in lovely well-bound blank books. This format filled about seven volumes over the years. I then moved it exclusively to a computer file. (Note to self: print this file out before the computer crashes. Oh, don’t worry – I have backup copies). The major dilemma I face is this: do I type up all of the old hand written entries? It’s probably not worth the effort.

A Different Approach

In the next posting I will relate how someone else has a totally different approach to journal writing.

Increasing your page views on your blog

Darren on ProBlogger has a very useful list of 14 ways to increase the number of your Blog’s page views.

To read the article click here.

Related articles you might like to read include:

Habits of Highly Effective Bloggers

7 Habits of Highly Effective Blogs

Characteristics of and Effective Blogger

Seven Funerals and a Wedding

I realised a startling truth recently.

I’m getting older.

Big deal – so is everyone.

How do I know? Over the last twelve months I’ve attended seven funerals and a wedding. When you are young, the reverse might be true. But as you age, one tends to be called upon or feel duty bound to attend a growing number of funerals, and less weddings. That’s a fact of life.

Traditional Wedding
What struck me last week when I attended a wedding on the Saturday and a funeral on the Monday was the power of words. That’s why I am a writer, and have a passion for writing. The wedding was the traditionally worded “until death us do part” type. Beautiful words of commitment, familiar to many and very powerful as this middle aged couple pledged their life-long allegiance to each other. The ceremony was very traditional but the reception after was far from traditional. Again, words played an important part as various family members spoke of the two being married.

Moving Funeral

The funeral was quite different. This time family members paid tribute to the mother and grandmother they had so dearly loved. The words were simple, heart-felt and very powerfully conveyed the deep love for the deceased. Sense of family was strong. Love and loyalty was expressed and a deep loss felt. The minister leading the service skillfully relaxed the congregation in their time of deep grief. Deeply meaningful words of comfort from the Bible were read, words I’d heard or read perhaps dozens of times but now were dripping with poignancy.

The Power of Words

The well worn cliche about the pen and the sword have been proven down through the millenia. The power of words is unchallenged and can be used for good or evil, for persuasion or rejection, for love or hatred, for passion or indifference. They can be used to cheer on a winning team or ridicule a child. They can soothe and comfort, inspire to action or devastate in a sharp retort.

Readers and Writers

A hungry lion was roaming through the jungle looking for something to eat. He came across two men. One was sitting under a tree and reading a book. The other was writing a letter.

The lion quickly pounced on the man reading the book and devoured him but let the other man go free.

Even the king of the jungle knows that readers digest and writers cramp.