Journals and their backstory

Date: 
21 September, 2011

journals.jpg

A stack of journals sits on my desk. Hilroy notebooks, perfect-bound journals with elastic ties, a big black drawing book with many blank white pages, a couple notebooks with section tabs, and one with a hard cover.

Some have pages torn out. Most have empty sections. Some have logs of my attempts at healthy living and other habits that seemed a good idea at a particular point in my life.

For me, the impulse to journal is a layered, complex and inconsistent practice. The pile of evidence in front of me says that I launch into journaling with great intentions. Some are dated in the 1980s, some in the 90s, some this century.
 
Rare is the one that is full, complete.
 
Some of the journals attempt to track the daily pace and activities of life. Others were clearly intended more as idea-catchers. A few hold first draft poems, or essays. Others still record step-by-step attempts at life management programs – all about the process.
 
Inside most of the journals are one or two or more clippings – articles I found meaningful. Quotes. Wise advice from here or there.
 
What is the purpose of a journal? I’m tempted to see my mismatched piles as evidence of failure: they tell the story of failed attempts, aborted journeys. Certainly, they provide insight into my changing whims and interests.
 
In a more positive light, each journal in its way must have served some purpose. Here, I am luxuriating in a memorable vacation, there I am tracking a fitness regime, and over here I am trying to record the confusing slide of my father’s last weeks of life.
 
As a writer, the journals are a discontinuous collection of possible prompts for future work. Yet, mostly, their work is done. They got me here.

 

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Comments

Journals

Submitted by Anonymous on 31 October, 2011 - 09:01.

Hi Lorne.
I've kept a daily journal for the last twenty five years and part of the pleasure of that is to put pen to paper, write by hand.
Great post and now on Stumbleupon.

Just got me a new leather-bound journal for next year.

What a great post, Lorne.

Submitted by Anonymous on 22 September, 2011 - 07:18.

I tend to tuck my old journals away, rather than leave them laying about, though. In a spring cleaning frenzy recently, I came across one I kept from high school - complete with poems, article clippings, quotes and lots of blank pages. So I could totally relate to your insights in this piece. The last paragraph really hit home for me. Very encouraging. Thanks for sharing it!

Jessica McCann (@JMcCannWriter)

Thanks Jessica

Submitted by Lorne on 22 September, 2011 - 09:05.

Hi Jessica - I don't typically keep old journals kicking around either but just moved so it seems everything is sitting in piles. It was only when I looked at the collection of them that I realized the trend. It is what it is - no one is ever going to want to publish these scrawls but they have their role.
Thanks for stopping by the blog.

Unfinished Journals

Submitted by Anonymous on 21 September, 2011 - 12:01.

Encouraging! I've many unfinished journals. Love my moleskines, though!

Moleskins

Submitted by Lorne on 22 September, 2011 - 09:07.

Yes, so many writers love these. There's a lot to be said for writing surfaces that are attractive in their own right - perhaps they encourage you to keep at it?