On Names & Nicknames
When it comes to writing in my journal about people I know and love I don’t hesitate to use their names. On discussion with other journal writers it seems not everyone is happy doing this. Some use nicknames, initials or pet names. I never used to use full names of friends, but since noticing I had a habit of forgetting who I was referring to on rereading I now use full names.
What about you? Do you use names, nicknames or some other method for identifying people in your journal? Please share using the comments section below.
Heather
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POSTED IN: General: Journal Writing
7 opinions for On Names & Nicknames
Olivia
Mar 31, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I generally don’t use people’s names unless I’ve checked with them first, or else use just the first name if it’s a really common name, or maybe a first initial. This is mainly because people can be oddly funny about this. Some people don’t mind at all, and some view it as an invasion of privacy.
Lori G.
Mar 31, 2007 at 10:27 pm
I don’t use names (unless it’s a peer that I’m giving a link to) and most of the time don’t even write things about specific people. I’m paranoid they’ll figure it out. I sure do miss out on posting some juicy stuff that way. Maybe I should rethink it.
Heather Goldsmith
Apr 2, 2007 at 6:53 am
Hi Olivia & Lori,
Interesting, but don’t forget I am speaking about personal/private journals. I may have to write some more on this. Thanks for the responses. ;-)
Olivia
Apr 2, 2007 at 8:58 am
How did I miss this? You’re absolutely right; I somehow thought (I think because of the topic) that you were referring to online blogging, when you clearly say “journal”. Oh well.
To revise my comment: Yes, I do use names, and often write out the full name if is it someone that I think I may not remember 10 or 20 years from then. Best friends and family I would always remember, but transitory friendships of shorter duration, say a year or two, I might not. Acquaintances definitely get written with first and last names, as I certainly would not remember who they were. I might even write who they are, as in “Jane Doe, my family doctor, said to me…”
Sorry to miss the boat here :)
Lori G.
Apr 2, 2007 at 9:44 am
Oops. I missed it too. In that instance yes, I use names. I am too wrapped up in my blogging world!
Velma
Apr 2, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I’m considering putting a cast list in the back of my journals, because I’ve run into that same issue. Some of it is because I used to go out to different clubs several times a week (now I go to the same places, and am a regular in each), and I look back at my journals and wonder: who was this Raven? who was Charlie? who was Vlad, and is he the same Vlad from the journals a year later?
Heather Goldsmith
Apr 3, 2007 at 6:40 am
Thanks for getting back to me on this. ;-)
I love the idea of a cast list in the back of your journal, Velma. Depending on what’s going on in your life that could be very handy.
Thanks for commenting, everyone. ;-)
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