This is pretty much what journals are all about, at least to me. I knew as I wrote them that even though they provided an excellent place for brain (and heart, and psyche) dump, they were mainly a map of me.
Colleen Wainwright
Do you journal? Many writers do-often years before they actually decide to write for a living. In my twenties I carried around notebooks, at first they were just travel logs, menus, words I liked, short poems but now when I read them they are so much more. They are a map of me. Years later, I used one as a start for a short story. I haven't journaled much lately I guess because I use the Writing Nag as my journal but if I get accepted for college in January I think I will begin again. But my 2008 Journal will also include ephemera.My paper collection is getting out of hand it needs a home, what better place than with words.
My notebooks now are more like lists...The 5 Things I Must Do Today!! I write and when I look and I still haven't done them and it's dated 2005 I cringe a little. Before the end of 2007, I think I'll delve a little deeper to my 2005 notebook and see what I've procrastinated for 2 years and try to figure out why?
I just started reading The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person's Path Through Depression
in preparation for my part of Dr. Maisel's Book Tour in February right here on the Writing Nag. Already only 40 pages in I'm fascinated. Creative people got a lot going on. Today, take a look at a blog that focuses on the journal, lots of good information, prompts etc. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing NagLabels: creative journal, Eric Maisel, Journaling, Van Gogh Blues