“Revelations: Diaries of Women” edited by Mary Jane Moffat and Charlotte Painter, 1974.This is a great variety of samples of journals.They represent different types of women over the last 100 years and it’s refreshing to see the wonderful range of expression, despite the differing resources of the women.
“Ariadne’s Thread – A Collection of Contemporary Women’s Journals” edited by Lyn Lifshin, 1982.This is also a variety of journal samples.It is a bit more polished (and for me a bit less fun) than “Revelations”because she asked people for samples and more of the authors are professional writers.
“The Journal of a Disappointed Man & A Last Diary” by W. N.P. Barbellion, 1984.This is the real journal of a naturalist in London in the early 20th century, who becomes aware that he is dying of m.s. in the course of the journals.It’s sad and really interesting as he observes his own psychology and life.
Books ABOUT Journals:
“Journal to the Self” by Kay Adams, 1990.This is the most accessible, comprehensive book about journaling that I’ve read.Kay lays out an understanding of the value of journaling that honors the depth of the topic.She also provides a broad range of practical, usable ideas for different goals of journaling.Above all, she keeps the tone easy and comfortable while she encourages people to use writing for serious searching and change.
“The New Diary” by Tristine Rainer, 1978.This book is interesting because it was early in the field and it is so positive and broad and open in tone.She gives many ideas for structuring journal activity and also beautifully describes how to loosen up writing.She gives the best instructions for stream of consciousness that I’ve seen.
“A Walk Between Heaven and Earth”by Burghild Nina Holzer, 1994.This book has a lovely Zen kind of tone.She observes and writes about the process of journaling in a deep perceptive way.
“Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions” by James Pennebaker, 1990.This book summarizes the beginnings and developments of research on the benefits of emotional disclosure through writing and believe it or not, it reads easily and Pennebaker makes all this relevant information into a good story.
“Writing for Emotional Balance” by Beth Jacobs, 2005.This book grew out of talking to therapy clients about why and how they journal and incorporating their writing ideas into therapy.What developed was the idea that most people were writing to help manage emotions and that different styles of writing helped develop different emotional skills and could be tailored to particular situations.The book systematizes and discusses 7 types of emotion management skills and gives several writing exercises to help illustrate and develop each of the skills.Although the book is very structured, the tone remains warm and welcoming. Links to Other Creative Resources:
www.Journaltherapy.com. The website of the Center for Journal Therapy, a well-respected and designed center with journaling ideas and workshops.
www.Writingforemotionalbalance.com. This is the website associated with the book, “Writing for Emotional Balance,” a resource of journaling ideas and exercises for developing a range of emotion management skills.
www.Poetrytherapy.org. The website of the National Association of Poetry Therapy, an international group dedicated to the therapeutic value of all forms of written expression.
www.Futureme.org.On this site, you write a letter to your future self and a date when you want it delivered and they will send it back to you.Users have an option of making letters public and it makes for great reading and it’s just a great idea.A book of letters is coming out soon.
www.WilliamJamesAssociation.org. This organization combines arts and social service and has projects you can contribute to or get involved with, such as art workshops in prisons or for at-risk youth.