Blisstree » Natalie-Goldberg

First 50 Words

Heather Goldsmith — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:51:25 +0000

While reading Journal Fetish today I found another interesting blog; First 50 Words. The concept for this blog is simple enough. Based on the idea of practice writing, such as Natalie Goldberg, Judy Reeves and Julia Cameron promote; First 50 Words supplies the prompts and you write the words. You are also encouraged to leave those first 50 words in the comments section.

Looks like a great place to find prompts.

Heather
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Post from: Blisstree

First 50 Words

Journal Writing in Public Places

Heather Goldsmith — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:06:40 +0000

I sat down for a moment today to write in my journal and to enjoy a coffee at one of my favourite cafés. I’m a regular, so I only need to say, “The usual,” pay and find a place to sit. Most of the time, when I journal in public places, no one says anything to me. But today the owner asked me what I wrote in my journal. I was only too happy to share with him.

His questions made me think about writing in public places. I like the general hubbub of voices in coffee shops. I can slip into a seat and hide. People busy about their own lives create a perfect screen for me to observe and write whatever comes to mind.

I’m pretty certain it was Natalie Goldberg who encouraged me to sit and write in a café. Goldberg’s book Writing Down the Bones urges you to let loose your inhibitions about writing in general. When I was younger I was too self-aware to write personal thoughts into a journal in a public place. As I’ve matured I’m less concerned about what other people think.

How do you feel about journal writing in public? Do you? Or is your journal writing moment intensely private? Please share in the comments section below.

Heather
Journaling Tools – Go deeper and reach higher with hundreds of journal writing resources.

Life Journal Software

Post from: Blisstree

Journal Writing in Public Places

Blah Days

Heather Goldsmith — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:42:10 +0000

I know it happens from time to time. You sit and write in your journal and just churn out the most banal rubbish ever, day after day. Blah days can dishearten even the most dedicated journal writer. I believe there is still value in writing any old thing in your journal. Not only does it help clear your mind, but it gives you a place to be. A space to fill. A moment to pause. A place to accept who you are, for the good and bad parts of your personality.

Probably the best advice I ever read concerning writing in my journal came from Natalie Goldberg. This quote is either from her book Writing Down the Bones or Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life; I always forget which one.

“You are free to write the worst junk in the universe.”

You have permission to write rubbish. I found giving myself permission incredibly freeing; to allow myself to be boring when I wrote. I hope this quote inspires you, too.

Heather
Journaling Tools – Go deeper and reach higher with hundreds of journal writing resources.

Life Journal Software

Post from: Blisstree

Blah Days