Comments on: How to Start Writing a Journal

By: Bella Simpson

Bella Simpson — Mon, 17 May 2010 09:04:31 +0000

It was extremely interesting for me to read this post. I would like to read a bit more soon.

Bella Simpson

By: bob

bob — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:43:06 +0000

Hi Tony, not exactly sure where I heard of the ‘green ink brigade’ but it was some years ago and likely to be from The Guardian newspaper. It does seem fairly well documented as can be seen from the following:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/green-ink+brigade
Green-ink brigade
n
Informal a collective term for people who write abusive or threatening letters to people in the public eye
[from the idea that only the eccentric would write in green ink]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 6th Edition 2003. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

By: TonyB

TonyB — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:33:12 +0000

Yes, you’re right. Using a pen is much more visceral, which feeds creativity, I think.

By: inksreporter

inksreporter — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:35:15 +0000

I’ve always held that using a pen is great for the creative process – though it’s easier to produce careful constructions on a computer. Something about the fact that when you delete in a Word document, the mistake is permanently gone! So in practice I find myself switching between pens and PCs depending on where I’m at creatively.

Great post – really enjoyed it.

By: TonyB

TonyB — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:44:33 +0000

LOL. Note to self: Green ink = nutcase. I’ll have to remember that one. Bob, if you remember where you saw that, can you send it to me? That’s definitely worth some follow-up.

By: bob

bob — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:52:40 +0000

Good post Tony.

I have been journalling for about 4 years and find it extremely therapeutic. Getting some ideas, thoughts and the occasional rant is a good way of relieving stress. Sometimes, it’s simply a way of getting ones thoughts in order. I like an A4 notebook just to have plenty of space and like Anton, find the Claire-Fontaine good. Personally, I don’t stick to one type of pen or even the same colour of ink, it just makes it more individual. Having said that, I don’t use green ink as I read somewhere that this is used primarily by would-be assassins and those guys who write crazy 50 page rants to newspapers or politicians!!

By: TonyB

TonyB — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:51:53 +0000

A few years ago, when I decided I was going to start journaling, I bought four of those composition notebooks. Journaling didn’t happen, and I ended up using the notebooks to raise my monitor a little higher on my desk. Now, I’ve just been using little reporter notebooks to keep track of my days.

By: TonyB

TonyB — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:49:37 +0000

Hey, thanks for adding that…the Pilot Varsity (called a VPen in the UK) is an excellent choice, and I forgot about all the colours they come in.

By: Anton Ninno

Anton Ninno — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:34:05 +0000

I recommend journaling with a Pilot Varsity fountain pen. You can buy them in a one, two, three, or seven pack – with 7 different colors. A single pen runs $3-4. I get the 3-pack with black, blue, and purple at the local Staples store for $6. That’s only $2 for each pen – cheap! Fountain pens need quality paper, like that found in Rhodia notebooks. Don’t use them in the now-made-in-china Moleskine books. That paper will bleed and soak through – terrible stuff. Claire-Fontaine notebooks are also fountain pen worthy.

Join my Pilot Varsity Fountain Pen group on Facebook. Big fun!

Anton
Syracuse, NY

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:22:12 +0000

I’ve had a journal in my life ever since I was about 9 years old. It started with a black & white marble composition notebook and now it’s a Moleskine. I sometimes didn’t keep up with it for months or years in between, but I always came back. There was always this desire to slow down time and sort out my thoughts on paper. Not only does it record the past, but it helps me stay sane in the present and plan for the future.