Natalie Goldberg.
She writes the BEST creative writing books. I have Writing Down The Bones and Wild Mind - Living The Writer's Life. Goldberg's books treat writing as "writing"...not really being connected to your words(unlike journal-writing). I don't care...her methods and words apply to whatever writing I'd want to ever do...and for me at this moment...that's journal writing. I recommend these two books immensely. I love them. So dear to my heart. So well-written. So fun. Inspirational. I read those chapters over and over. Most of the time, actually, almost always, I am not even writing. I read her books "just because." Just because she loves what she does...she loves words...she adores books...she tells you to just go out and do it...to write your heart out...to not be afraid of the blank page...to pour out your mind...to not treat your writing too seriously...to just enjoy the process. I need to get more of her books. She is delicious. I am going to try some of her "Try This" writing exercises with this journal. Weirdly enough, I will not be writing with pen or paper...I am typing. So far the pen and paper journal route has not been pleasing me. My hand tires too easily. I cramp up. I don't like mistakes when I write. I want a neat page. When I misspell a word I go a bit crazy and rip the page out and start all over again. It is dumb. So, I shall type. The computer allows me to correct my errors easily without distracting my flow of thinking and words. This satisfies me greatly. I like it. I think I am a computer girl by mind and heart now. I don't know if that's a good thing. I don't really care. All I know is that typing is fast, furious, and fun...and gentle on me physically and emotionally...my feelings sprout forth with ease. And I like seeing my words on the screen...more real and raw for some reason...and I get to share my thoughts with all of you, which is special to me. I wonder what Goldberg would think of this. Maybe I should write and ask her.