All Written Out
Michelle has asked a wonderful question in the comments section from yesterday’s entry.
“Here’s a question: I used to be wonderful and faithful at keeping my journal. Then I got into blogging and now it feels as if I’m all “written out” when it comes time to write in my personal journal. My blog can’t substitute for my journal, it’s a different writing style and has a different purpose. Anyone else out there having similar troubles?”
That’s just in case you can’t be bothered clicking through to find Michelle’s comment.
When I spent a lot more time writing in my personal blog, something I’ve neglected lately, I found myself repeating these things in my personal handwritten journal. There were times I felt all written out, too. But I eventually made a decision to leave certain things out of my blog. I let the in-depth writing go into my handwritten journal and concentrated on writing more for an audience with my blog.
This meant I felt freer to write about my emotional and other personal issues, complain or rant without getting any kind of feedback. I found I could write up my blog entries with a different slant than my personal journal required.
If you are using your blog as a personal journal, then perhaps there is no need for a paper one. Given a choice, though, I prefer the privacy of a handwritten journal. There’s also something in the movement of my hand across the paper. I do write differently on the keyboard than with pen and paper. I discovered this when writing in writing groups. Many authors swear by this method and only write up stories they have first painstakingly written out by hand.
What are your thoughts? Please use the comments section below. If you’re feeling to shy to comment at least write about this issue in your journal.
Also read: What’s the Difference Between Journal Writing and Blogging &
The Right Pen for You
Heather
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POSTED IN: General: Journal Writing, Journal Writing Prompts
8 opinions for All Written Out
Velma
Mar 8, 2007 at 10:50 am
Like you, Heather, there are things that I only write about in my paper journal, though they sometimes appear later (after I’ve mulled them over, and polished them up a bit for public review) in the online journal. I also take my journal with me everywhere, and have gotten into the habit of writing whenever I have time — doctor’s office, grocery store line, train or bus.
In Dorothea Brande’s book Becoming a Writer (written back in 1934, and still the best book on writing I’ve come across) she advises against talking with people about your ideas (she’s thinking fiction, but it applies elsewhere), and explains that the mind likes to verbalize, and once it’s done it once, whether in writing or conversation, it’s likely not to want to continue.
I’ve found that writing in my journal first works best for me. Once I’ve started the conversation, be it online or in person, I’m less likely to write about things in the journal. And sometimes, I’m less likely to get to the heart of things if I write about it for an audience; I like the space of my own journal to write out the worst possible things, and know that people won’t shrink back in horror at my anger or passion there.
Michelle
Mar 8, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Good advice, I think part of my problem too is that I used to type my journal entries and then cut and paste them to serve as letters to elderly family out of state. The grandmas really liked getting these weekly letters that kept them informed. But they passed away and now I don’t have that “if I don’t write this week Grandma won’t get her letter” incentive. I miss the personal writing and thoughts of my journal and the blog just can’t substitute. I need to get back into my journal writing.
Olivia
Mar 8, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Yes, one thing I have noticed is that if I blog about something first I am tempted to censor it for my perceived readership. There is no need to do that in my journal. But then, the odd thing is that I think that I am then censoring it for myself, too, which I don’t like doing. What are my true thoughts? I think I can only find that out by writing in my journal, uncensored.
Lately I haven’t been able to write in my journal because of a repetitive motion injury to my hand. I can still type, however, but you’re right, it isn’t the same. It’s faster and less reflective for me. Since I’m in an online community committed to writing 3 pages each morning, I’ve tried to keep up by recording my thoughts into a tape recorder, and this isn’t the same either. There is not that time for reflection and processing that there is AS I’m writing.
There’s really nothing to replace a journal.
Heather Goldsmith
Mar 9, 2007 at 6:08 am
Velma, Michelle & Olivia,
Thank you all for your responses. These will give me food for thought and comment in the next few blog entries. So, look to contribute more if you feel it necessary. Hopefully, we’ll get a few more comments, too. ;_
A Creative Journal » Freedom of Expression (All Written Out Part 2)
Mar 12, 2007 at 7:11 am
[…] I hope you had a chance to read some of the comments on the entry I posted on Thursday 8th March. It’s not too late to join the discussion. […]
Trevor
Mar 12, 2007 at 8:00 am
The most practical solution to Michelle’s dilemma is to start with writing in her journal. Use it as a warm up exercise, if necessary, for other writing. I’ve done that successfully from time to time and it works fine for me. While I run three blogs I do not have a personal blog per se so the problem of using different styles doesn’t occur in my writing day.
The feeling of being “all written out” is a common dilemma I feel. Writing - especially if it involves 8 to 10 hour days at a stretch - can be very tiring.
The same applies to those who have a full time, non-writing day job and come home in the evening expecting to turn on the creativity for several hours of writing. That’s tiring - I did it for 35 years.
Heather Goldsmith
Mar 12, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Thanks for your input, Trevor. Yes, working and then expecting to be creative can be very tiring. Your advice is excellent. ;-)
A Creative Journal » Room to Vocalise First Thoughts
Mar 15, 2007 at 7:59 am
[…] Still continuing from the entry All Written Out, Freedom of Expression and Self Censorship. […]
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