[null, {"document_url": "http://www.writersonthemove.com/2012/05/how-to-select-writing-journal.html", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKLvBD8CE0I/T7m3dO4aNvI/AAAAAAAAAFc/cpOtvMFsMEU/s200/wri.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKLvBD8CE0I/T7m3dO4aNvI/AAAAAAAAAFc/cpOtvMFsMEU/s200/wri.jpg", "formatted_filename": "wri", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 133}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.writersonthemove.com/2012/05/how-to-select-writing-journal.html", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S79beu8ugU0/T7myioAE2-I/AAAAAAAAAFI/bMnfniCAPdI/s200/spiral+notebook.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S79beu8ugU0/T7myioAE2-I/AAAAAAAAAFI/bMnfniCAPdI/s200/spiral+notebook.jpg", "formatted_filename": "spiral notebook", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 200}, {"document_url": "http://www.writersonthemove.com/2012/05/how-to-select-writing-journal.html", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-so15eeUFan4/T7m1pWhpfDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/4yFtBiX9oSg/s200/journal.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-so15eeUFan4/T7m1pWhpfDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/4yFtBiX9oSg/s200/journal.jpg", "formatted_filename": "journal", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 200}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://www.writersonthemove.com/2012/05/how-to-select-writing-journal.html", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1H588YaFxo/VZRR9emVUrI/AAAAAAAAEps/o3zRINnpDk8/s246/Animation.JPG", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1H588YaFxo/VZRR9emVUrI/AAAAAAAAEps/o3zRINnpDk8/s246/Animation.JPG", "formatted_filename": "Animation", "alt_text": "GET A SHORT ANIMIATION", "rendered_width": 246, "rendered_height": 159}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]

How to Select a Writing Journal A friend of mine was shopping for a journal. She was debating whether to purchase a school themed notebook or a pretty journal.  My recommendation for writers is to buy both.

Each August, with the back to school sales, I buy about 20 spiral notebooks.  They are not attractive and are very inexpensive.  They’re great if you do any sort of writing exercises, (e.g.  Julia Cameron’s morning pages).  The cheap price and disposable feel gives me permission to write crap. Fortunately, my inner critic doesn't seem to mind if I write crap in a spiral notebook.   I can write garbage, filled with spelling errors and bad grammar...but it doesn't matter because I write.  Besides, I know that most of what is in these notebooks will never to be seen by anyone but me without major revisions.

I also have some beautiful journals.  Usually, these are on my nightstand.  My special journals give me a completely different feel when I pick them up.  It’s an instant message that something important is about to be written.   I have a floral covered cloth “gratitude” journal.   Its purpose is to remind me of the blessings in my life.

What does your writing journal look like?

Is it an old spiral notebook                            or                 is it a beautiful bound book? It's likely that what it looks like reflects how you approach your writing and what's written inside.

Happy Writing,
Mary Jo
By Mary Jo Guglielmo - May 21, 2012 Labels: journals, Julia Cameron, Mary Jo Guglielmo, spiral notebook, writing exercises


