I still struggle with the idea of journals, even though I've made them to commission for all sorts of you beautiful people.
Well, here's a way to start separating out, yes?
1. Journals of Literary Heritage. In hard back, or paper back. Involves Woolf. Let's face it, the
Literary Journals are validated and approved by institutions which bring
them into being - publishing houses through to the local libraries. These works
may be written for publication, edited, picked over, and further
decided upon. The end product eventually appears as the result
of a long process. (A book is a
commercial product, whether we like to admit it or not.) Then readers can receive and enjoy. Or not.
2.
Community Journaling. People get together with personal
stories, reflections or ideas to a common purpose. The result could be
anything. For example, people in a community might not want land to go
to development. Strength in numbers, they each write about it. Perhaps
their journaling results in a report to the council. Perhaps it results
in a memory garden, a face book community page, a stand at the museum...
3.
'Journaling', 'Therapy journaling', 'Radical journaling', 'Personal
journaling', 'Addiction freedom journaling' 'Memory journaling', 'Keepsake journaling', 'Baby-growing-up journaling', 'Costume journaling', 'Theatre-prop journaling, 'Journaling just because'.
And here is Knickers! This is where I am. I am still learning how I fit, what I do, and how I can help. Because I do want to help. When I fall into
conversation about this huge variety of motive, of reasons to be, of why-journals are kept, people are usually patient with
me, as they know I want to learn. And I want to make the books that fit you.
I am sure of one thing. In the journaling world where I live, there are no rules. Anything is possible. Stabbing the page? Possible. Scribbling, scrawling, autowriting, picture-making, sign-writing.
This is liberating. This is real, human energy. This is the most powerful writing we can experience.
Always keep a journal. x
