The older I get the more I tend to worry, just a little, about keeping my memory. Perhaps that is one reason I keep a journal. I read an article yesterday how doodling can help memory. All the time I thought the doodling I often engaged in was showing how distracted I really was. All this time it’s been an aid to remembering the details of all those boring phone calls. I tended to doodle instead of taking proper notes in school, too. I always wondered why I still managed to have such good recall later about those same notes. I tend to doodle on the corners of pages, even in my regular journal.

Do you doodle? Do you doodle in your journal? Do you keep a doodle journal? Will you make an effort to doodle while note taking or while on the phone? Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo is my own

Post from: Blisstree

Doodling Good for Memory

Amazingly enough the pen still works. Have you got a twisted pen story, with photos to share? Please leave any comments or links to photos in the section below.

Heather
Photo is my own

Post from: Blisstree

Pens Galore!

I’ve just popped in to say a very happy Christmas to all my regular readers and anyone else who happens to stumble by today. Here’s a photo of the lovely gifts I received from family this morning; two journals, a pack of five notebooks, three pens & some coffee. There’s also a bead scoop in there. At least they’re really starting to get what it is I like. What about you? What journal writing related gifts did you receive this year? Please share with links to your blog with photos if possible.

Heather
Photo is my own

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Christmas 2008

Heather

Post from: Blisstree

Free Shipping at Intrinsic Journals

I was pleased to read on Holly Lisle’s blog yesterday that she found a quiet corner in a cafe and began a piece of fiction by writing longhand in a notebook. The experience left her feeling excited about writing again. Sometimes just something as simple as changing the tool you write with can alter your perspective enough to make the experience feel completely different. This freshens up your outlook and spurs creativity.

Try doing something just a bit different today. Use a different writing implement, write on different paper or in a different journal, use a new colour, or sit in a different place. Just write somewhere, somehow, with something and get your journal entry or story down.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Morguefile

Post from: Blisstree

Change Your Writing Tools

I’ve been reading about the latest SARK book, Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper, for some time now. I read about it before it came out and now that the book is available, too. I own a couple of SARK books and know her style well. I wondered if it was really worth buying. You know the whole thing you go through with just about every book you consider buying.

I couldn’t help making excuses about whether I needed another book on creativity, etc. But, I finally decided to just go ahead and buy the book. I do deserve to treat my writer self. I earn money from this blog. Why the reluctance to spend money on myself? I don’t always understand what makes me such a measured buyer, especially when it comes to books, but it’s part of who I am. I’ll probably journal about that later.

Do you allow yourself to buy books often? How often do you buy books? In what other ways do you treat yourself? Have you read this SARK book? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

Heather
Image from Amazon

Post from: Blisstree

Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper

I’m always on the look out for great prompts and other journal goodness, so you simply must try this prompt courtesy of Sue Meyn from Journal Magic. This prompt is from Sue’s free newsletter, which I received today in my inbox.

“Take a few minutes to create a Dialogue with Beauty. If you’d like, you can use your non-dominant hand to be Beauty and experiment with what it has to tell you. You might begin by asking Beauty how you can expand your awareness of beauty more fully in your life…and then see what ‘Beauty’ has to say in response.”

Make sure you take a look at the classes on offer, at reasonable prices, articles, the blog, cool journal writing tools, great links and more. Sign up for the Journal Magic newsletter so you don’t miss any updates.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

Beauty Prompt from Journal Magic

I’ve been preparing to catch a plane to visit my mother, who lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland. I leave early tomorrow morning. There’s all the planning, shopping and cooking for the family I’m leaving behind, but also the packing and planning for myself and the little guy, as we’re the only ones going on this trip. I’ve managed to keep my luggage down to the barest minimum. I’m also trying not to carry too much hand luggage.

I thought hard about bringing my usual journal, but eventually figured the small purple one I purchased recently at Borders would be lighter and easier to travel with. I probably won’t spend as much time writing in my journal while I’m away for the two weeks, so taking a big thick journal is probably silly, anyway. The smaller journal will be easier to pull out and stash away when needed, but mostly while I’m on the plane.

So, do you write in your journal while travelling? What kind of journal works best for you? Please share your stories about travelling and writing in your journal in the comments section below. Or leave a link to your blog if you prefer.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Pixelperfectdigital

Post from: Blisstree

Journal Writing While Travelling

I’m probably the last person to know about this website, but here it is anyway. I learnt about Wordle from Shai yesterday. I’ve been playing with different pieces of my own text and my website ever since. You can create your own piece of wordle art and even add it to the gallery. There’s also a forum if you’re really into playing with words in this way.

I like the look of all those words. You can make unique background pages or journal covers for your own use. Really, what you do with this cool journal tool is only limited to your imagination. Have fun with this one. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Image is photo taken of a print out of the Wordle I created from my blog

Post from: Blisstree

Cool Journal Tool

I suppose Smiggle stationery has been around a lot longer than I am aware of. The local post office started to stock these cute goods a couple of years ago, but a store finally opened close by. I’ve been in there just enjoying the cute journals, notebooks, tins and other bits & pieces of stationery. I haven’t bought anything yet. I suppose one day I’ll buy stacks and surprise the girls behind the counter. Today I did buy a little black round ring, which is supposed to be a rubber or eraser for those who don’t know what I mean, for my little boy. See photo.

Do you have a favourite stationery supplier? Do they have an online store or do they occupy a physical place? Which do like better; touching and playing with stationery or looking at pretty pictures? Please share any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo is my own

Post from: Blisstree

Smiggle Stationery