Journaling and writing resources.
The Journal Newsletter
The Journal’s newsletter is no longer sent out. Previous issues are still available, though.
Writing Exercises
These Writing Exercises are a collection of prompts originally published in The Journal Newsletter. The prompts include journaling prompts, prose prompts, poetry prompts, free writing prompts, and memoir prompts.
Or jump to the complete list of exercises you would like to see:
The exercises are updated each month, after the newsletter is published.
Unless otherwise specified, all prompts Copyright © by Susan Michael and David Michael.
Articles
These are articles about journaling and writing and more.
Many of these articles first appeared in The Journal’s Newsletter.
- A New Baby Journal by Michael Ham
- A Novice Journal Writer’s Way of Putting His Life in Order by Peter G. Henry
- Bench-testing “The Journal” for One-Place Studies by Peter Watson
- Build an Information Database in The Journal
- Do I Already Know the Answer to This Question? by David Michael
- Dream Journaling by Sande Chen
- Gratitude Journals by Sande Chen
- How I Use The Journal for RPG Campaign Organization by David Michael
- How I Used The Journal to Write a Middle Grade Novel by David Michael
- How to Write a “Post Mortem” by David Michael
- Journaling as a Means to Personal Transformation by Chuck Gallozzi
- Journaling as a Problem Solving Tool by Steve Pavlina
- Journaling Both Informs Us and Forms Us by Chuck Gallozzi
- Journaling for Posterity by Laura Donaldson
- On Journaling by Sande Chen
- Overcoming Procrastination with The Journal by Raymond Champoux
- Re-Energize Your Journal Writing Today for Tomorrow by Michael Boyter
- ‘Seven Habits’ and The Journal by Michael Ham
- Stalking the Ideal Journal by Jae Malone
- The Benefits of Journaling by Sheryl A. Keen
- The College Years Journal by Michael Ham
- The Journey of Journaling by Tom Gilbert
- Voices from the Past by Laura Donaldson
- Why Keep a Personal Journal? by Julie Wrigley Smith
- Your Personal Archive by Laura Donaldson
How I Use The Journal
Users of The Journal (including the developer) share how they use The Journal for everything from daily journaling to coupon clipping to writing novels and organizing work notes.
- Alan Brooks, Historian/Researcher
- David Michael, Developer of The Journal
- John Leach, Journalist
- Brian Ford, Consulting Engineer, Office of the Chief Strategy Officer, Cisco Systems
- Jerry Hayden, Maintenance/Engineering group, Carlex Glass Company
- Allen Johnson, Hobbyist Writer
- Dawn in Jersey
- Kent Eaton, Alternative Learning Advocate
- Susan Michael, Homeschooler
- Veronica Armstrong, Writer
- Linda Harrell
- Bernard V. Beam
- Julie Garman
- Toni McConnel, Technical Writer
- Luceele P. Smith-Huff
- John Hawkins, Using Intensive Journaling
- Tracye Gano
- Matt Morgan
- Nancy Custer
- Diana L. Little
- Meg McCrea
- Denise Alsop-Rhoades
- Bernard J. Armada
- Rich Hill
- Walt Podushko
- Pastor Dan S. Baty
There is no “Right Way” to use The Journal =)
In the monthly newsletter, and in the user email discussion list, you’ll read about a lot of features of The Journal. And, yes, there are a lot of features.
The Journal has been around since 1996, and in the years since, I’ve inserted/extended/wedged-in a *lot* of functionality, much of it suggested by users just like yourself. Hopefully, I’ve managed to include those new features and extensions in an unobtrusive way, rather than cluttering things up and making the software harder to use or more intimidating.
*BUT* just because all those features are there, does *NOT* mean you have to use them. You don’t even have to experiment with them. I won’t be insulted and the software won’t go into “sulk mode”. Promise.
I’ve tried to make The Journal flexible enough that you can do what you want, how you want. (That said, if The Journal does get in your way, let me know. There’s always room for improvement.)
In short: Do your own thing. Feel free to ignore any features or functionalities that aren’t useful to you.
However you use The Journal, that is *YOUR* Right Way.