Comments on: Extreme Journaling

By: Essential Prose | Zoë Westhof | How to Make Your Own Creative Mini-Retreat: Journaling and Visioning

Mon, 11 May 2009 11:04:56 +0000

[...] out. You can choose to do journaling, which simply means writing in a journal. Another option is Extreme Journaling, which is a no-holds-barred freewriting approach to [...]

By: Zoë

Zoë — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 07:01:57 +0000

Dave, thanks so much for giving us an awesome view into your process. I can really relate, and it’s wonderful to see such an evocative description of it. I hope people who haven’t tried this before will think again after reading your comment…

By: Dave Thurston

Dave Thurston — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:40:01 +0000

Ahhh. It is about 62 deg F this AM. Minor Breeze. And I’ve just completed something that I knew that I’d be able to do on this Saturday morning. I just spent an uninterrupted hour writing in my geeky-bluetooth-keyboard-connected-telephone.

What a gift!

As I was writing during this time, I was amazed at the thoughts that were recorded — at the path that (I guess) my subconscious led me down to new insights, new feelings, and (well) to a self-induced peace.

Over the years, I’ve know about the runners’ high (when runners get past the tiredness and the endorphins kick in). This writing – this extreme journaling – is the same thing. I get a writer’s high that not only improves my thinking, but quite actually cascades love, empathy, understanding (and tolerance) toward my four kids.

As I think and write right now, I am reminded of what a self-imposed sentence to not be able to “put out there” those most personal thoughts that – if put out there – would create such a snowball effect of possible work-thru-it-ness.

I’m sure runners think the same thing, but I’ll say it from a writer’s perspective, “Really, you ought to do this for yourself. It is such a gift to yourself. You’ll never know, until you get it out on paper.”

Dave Thurston´s last blog post..Big Day G

By: Zoë

Zoë — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:14:15 +0000

@ Ali – I have yet to read the full Artist’s Way — I’m looking forward to it, since the morning pages have been an amazing exercise for me! It’s shocking how many things can become clear in the dopey early morning moments. And wow, that’s a big transition coming up…

By: Talented young thing: Zoe Westhof | curiousliving.com

Talented young thing: Zoe Westhof | curiousliving.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:18:21 +0000

[...] day usually starts between 7 and 8am, with morning pages — writing 3 pages of whatever junk spills out of your head first thing in the morning — and a cup of tea. When [...]

By: Ali

Ali — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:51:51 +0000

I don’t know where I’d be without the Artist’s Way or my morning pages, it’s an incredible practice that keeps me sane and reminds me of the important things in life! I am getting ready to leave Chiang Mai and my version of extreme journaling is helping me sort out all my feelings and not freak out about the transition.
@ Dave, I love that feeling when (if) you have time to look back at your writing and think “wow, I wrote that?!”

Ali´s last blog post..The Updated Plan

By: Zoë

Zoë — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:13:23 +0000

@ Alex – If journaling feels likes a chore, then I guess it won’t have the same effects I’m describing here! The work process you’re describing reminds me of my own when I’m working on an article or some sort of nonfiction piece. I research and research, just reading and absorbing, and then finally when the knowledge feels like it’s natural — feels like it’s mine, in a sense — the ideas come out partially formed.

By: Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:39:38 +0000

I'm so not the journalling type. I much prefer to let the thoughts roll around my head half-formed until I sit down to write and then bang out whatever idea I'm working on. Of course that means sometimes I don't write as much as I want to and things like my novel don't move forward as quickly perhaps, but when the words do go on paper it's like I've already done the really super rough first draft in my head. Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..7 Ways to Make Regret-Free Decisions and Overcome Insecurity

By: Zoë

Zoë — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:46:36 +0000

@ Richard – What an amazing collection that must be. Looks like I’ll need to search out a copy of “Writing Down the Bones” since you and Henie both recommended it!

@ Kristin – Freewriting in English class was my first introduction to this too! The first time you do it, it really is a strange and wonderful experience.

@ Henie – I love that you already have stacks of such journals! You and Richard both recommended the book, so I’m going to check the used bookstores here in Chiang Mai to see if they might have a copy. I really agree with the idea of using a cheap spiral notebook, because otherwise I’m apt to get writer’s block and think I have to write something marvelous!

@ Writer Dad – It’s so cool to see that a lot of you are extreme journaling! It’s such a simple but amazing practice.

@ Ken – True, important distinctions there. I guess that leaves us still stuck on the simultaneous translation/documentation!

By: Ken Allan

Ken Allan — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:18:07 +0000

Kia ora Zoë. I wasn't thinking about subconscious when I commented on simultaneity of thought processes, though I've no doubt these will be involved too, but I'm not so sure that they are the same things. Possible that subconscious thought can become conscious thought, and vice versa the subconscious can influence the conscious. I'm referring to the process of translating a thought, from a series of related simultaneous thoughts so that it is recorded in some way. I guess this is what you are referring with 'automatic writing'. Catchya Ken Allan´s last blog post..What Is Learnt From Community?