While searching online, as I do, for more inspiration for journal writers I came across an interesting lady today. Lori J. Batcheller is a Certified Journal Instructor, Journaling Coach, Author And Physical Therapist. In the article I read, Journal-Keeping: A Place For Healing, Self-Discovery, & Creative Flow, I really liked this journal writing technique:
“Capturing moments. Write a description of an experience that was truly intense and memorable. Immerse yourself in the past moment and fill the page with physical and emotional detail. Doing this recreates your body’s physiological response to a pleasant event and promotes the healing effects of being …read more

One of my daughter’s favourite pastimes is looking for patterns in what might seem like random events. She does this in every day life while waiting for things to happen. This is a useful technique for journal writing. If you tend to notice patterns you probably already remark on them in your journal. Finding patterns is something you can begin to do in your journal, though.
I believe journal writing is mostly a creative activity and process. The logic mind tends to take a back seat to allow the other parts of the mind to get a work out. Looking for …read more

I’ve previously mentioned cathartic writing as a journal writing technique before. But after reading this blog entry on the subject, I felt it might be good to revisit the topic. Lucretiasheart gives an extract from Tristine Rainers’s The New Diary, but also adds a challenge to write about something embarrassing. I hope you make use of the suggested exercise. Please share about your experience using this technique via the comments section below.
Heather
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After reading some of this article about Leonardo Di Vinci and the evidence of his left handedness, I got to thinking about hand preference. I am hopelessly right handed. I am lucky to do anything but hold things with my left hand. When it comes to writing or drawing or making any kind of a mark, I could create nothing you’d recognise with my left hand.
But, the idea of using your other hand, the one you don’t prefer, is used by psychologists with journal writing as a technique to gain access to inner wisdom.
Lucia Capacchione discusses this technique …read more

For most people the idea of using collage as a journal technique is met with a laugh. Most think back to school days when collage involved tearing a little coloured paper and gluing it in place. But new techniques, papers and products have made collage an art form in its own right.
While spending time tearing paper and gluing it into your journal is somewhat therapeutic on its own, it is the arrangement and additional touches you can apply that bring this form of expression such tactile satisfaction.
There is no limit to what you can put on your page, …read more

There’s no saying you really must use a pen and paper, or computer, to physically write your journal. You may prefer to use a video camera to record your daily entries.
This style has recently been used in many of the reality TV programmes. You simply set up the camera, sit in front and begin speaking. You might like to take into account the visual nature of this journal style by making sure you at least brush your hair or wear a little make-up.
There’s your background to consider, also. Perhaps sit in the same place each day, somewhere interesting, …read more

I came across this book today:

Although the topic of independence for teens is addressed, I thought this book looked interesting for any serious journal writer interested in spiritual matters. Please share in the comments section if you’ve read this book or even leafed through the pages.

Clustering is another technique you might find useful for writing in your journal. I first came across this technique while reading an ezine from Susan Letham. I forget now if it was Inspired2write or Wordweb.
There’s a comprehensive description on clustering here and how to use the technique in your journal entries. This link has a diagram in case you need a visual description. And Gloria discusses available software using the clustering idea on her blog Wild Mind. Please leave any comments on clustering below.