Anyone who is contemplating writing a memoir someday would be wise to consider keeping a journal. Those journal entries sure can be a big help when trying to recall details of the past. In fact keeping a journal is not a bad idea for anyone whether planning a memoir or not.
There are many types of journals and a wide variety of information that can be recorded in the journals. In the past I've kept journals regarding my expenditures, my vehicle, and even detailing data for a potential legal situation. For many years I kept a very intricate dream journal which I still have after some 40 years. Someday I might want to use some of those dreams in my writing.
Otherwise I've done a poor job of keeping a journal that recorded my daily life events and now I regret not having something of this nature to which to refer when writing my memoirs. Once during a lengthy trip when I was on summer break after my first year of college I did keep a very detailed journal. Unfortunately several years later it was stolen with a number of my other belongings in a vehicle break-in. I've long lamented having lost that journal not to mention the other items that were stolen.
Hopefully no one will never steal a journal that you've kept, but even if you do lose a journal the act of having kept it can make memories keener. Perhaps one day I'll start another journal. In the meantime let me recommend that you do as I say and not as I have done.
Do you keep any sorts of journals? Have you ever lost or destroyed a journal that you had maintained at some point in your life? What type of information do you think you would want to record if you kept a journal?
I started keeping a diary about halfway through 7th grade when I got one for Christmas...that was Jan. 1, 1977. I was pretty faithful with diaries and journals till about 2009. Then I tried to play catch up once I moved back but I got writers cramp and I haven't written in a journal in years now.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, keeping up with a journal does require dedication and a matter of happen. Catching up with anything is almost always difficult.
DeleteLee
I feel your pain in the stolen journal! I can only imagine how that kind of loss could leave a pit in your stomach. I'm not very good at journaling. I always start with great intentions but I'm just not disciplined enough to follow through. How I wish i would've kept a running journal because now as I'm working on memoir pieces, I find myself yearning to recall and dig up the hidden memories so I can put them on paper. Memories fade so it is always wise to jot down at least a few notes that can serve to trigger a memory years down the road. I'll have to make a concerted effort to keep a rolling journal. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
Michele, there was so much detail in my stolen journal and to think that it most likely ended up in the trash somewhere. It's sad to think that there are people who go so low as to steal anything. I should keep a journal, but I don't and that's my big loss.
DeleteLee
I just wish I still had the little notebooks I kept my weekly music charts in...
ReplyDeleteMaybe save you some research now?
DeleteLee
I LOVE journaling! I was so much better at it when I was younger though. My problem is I start them and then lost my momentum! This post made me want to start one up again!!! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never been good at it. I think I'd have that same loss of momentum thing if I did start.
DeleteLee
I have kept a journal on and off for many years, but one was stolen from my house 30 years ago, and I've lost others.
ReplyDeleteFor the last 10-12 years I have journalled constantly. Trouble is, I did not commit the most interesting parts of my life to a journal. Ain't that always the way? When you have the time, the content isn't interesting; when you don't have the time it's because you're having an interesting and productive life. :-)
Sometimes when life is interesting we're too busy to journal. I have the same problem about taking pictures.
DeleteLee
I burned most of my journals a few weeks before I got married. Something I really regret now!
ReplyDeleteOh, tragedy! The things we do sometimes!
DeleteLee
I have kept journals on and off since I was 13, but I was never very consistent.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I've discovered this other blog of yours, because I was considering the possibility of writing a memoir. I just didn't really know much about them, so I will definitely be looking through some of the older posts.
I think I have some good content in this blog. Be sure to check the guest posts which have some very good info.
DeleteLee
I was given a puffy white diary with swans on it when I was 8. I wrote in it for a few weeks and then grew bored. Around high school, I found it again and I've written in it at least 1x a year. I went back to read it a few years ago and was surprised at some of the events/feelings I had forgotten. It made me regret not having written in it more.
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
DH had a great uncle who was really good about journal keeping. I would have loved to read his entries. He out lived three wives and most, if not all of his children. He died at 101. He was a remarkable person! I always wanted to keep a journal, but never made time to do it. I think it's a fabulous idea. I know it's not too late to start doing it and yet I can't get into the groove of it. Maybe, I'll get myself together eventually to keep a journal because someday my memory will need a boost. Actually, I need it now. lol
ReplyDelete