Interview with a Seasoned Journal Writer

Suite 101 Chats to a Designer of Journaling Software

Jul 12, 2008 Dulcinea Norton-Smith

Journaling is the basis of both autobiography and memoir writing with many now famous people turning their teenage journals and diaries into best selling books.

Ruth Folit is the designer and producer of the interactive journaling software "LifeJournal". Suite 101 asked Ruth all about her own journaling.

Suite 101: Why do you write your own journals? Do you picture anyone as an audience?

Most times after I write a journal entry I feel better. I’ve expressed my feelings and thoughts and that process itself makes me feel focused and relaxed at the same time. I write for myself and don’t picture anyone as an audience. That’s part of the joy of the process for me: I’m not trying to please anyone.

Suite 101: Do you think that there are benefits for the soul in writing journals and memoirs?

Yes! I intuitively know that writing for me is a relaxing and renewing process. That’s what brings me back to it. I wasn’t surprised to find out years ago about the work of Dr. James Pennebaker, a psychology professor and researcher at the University of Texas. Dr. Pennebaker’s research during the past 25 years has found that writing about meaningful aspects of one’s life improves one’s health. Healthy people generally become healthier. Ill people’s symptoms often improve. Pennebaker shown this change by looking at all kinds of biological markers: the number of times a person visits thedoctor on the average is reduced; the immune system improves; blood pressure generally goes down; wound recovery times decrease.

Additionally, Pennebaker’s research also demonstrates that even more than health increases: marital satisfaction increases; school grades improve, people found jobs more easily.

Memoir is a close cousin of journal writing and requires a little more discipline than everyday journal writing. However, I think that memoir writing often grows out of journal writing. Memoir writing is a more formalized version of journaling about your past, because, I think memoirs are written for others to read, and therefore require more structure, background information, and a larger sense of storyline.

Suite 101: Do you see it as essential or a self indulgent treat?

I believe that journal writing is a positive for journal writers. I feel better after writing in my journal, and, if I’m feeling better after writing, then I’m nicer to the people I live and work with. So journal writing is more than a self-indulgent treat.

It is all about balance. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I believe the converse true as well: The unlived life is not worth examining. So you have to balance between living and examining.

Memoir writing also has great benefits. A well-written memoir requires that you see your life from some perspective—with story that makes sense to you and your readers. When writing a memoir, your role is to make sense of your life, to understand yourself better. I think that’s a big part of the benefit to the autobiography.

Suite 101: When do you feel most creative? Do you have a preferred working environment?

My most creative time to work is between 10 PM and 2 AM. I’m in a quiet environment with out interruption and distraction. Unfortunately, that’s not great for my sleeping habits and doesn’t dovetail well with the usual 9 to 5 workday. I work most creatively in my office, which is a comfortable place for me.

Suite 101: Do you see journal writing as a creative process?

Certainly! I think writing opens the deeper parts of your brain that aren’t used in the course of a typical day. Some very creative moments of journal writing occur when I’m in my own head, when I’m able to remove myself from the everyday world, and feel like I have a new perspective. That’s what creativity is about: finding new perspectives, bringing different parts of the world together in new ways, and making new meaning.

Suite 101: Would you ever publish your journals?I personally wouldn’t, but I think that that is an individual preference. I think that there must be a strong reason to publish your journal—that there are compelling stories and ideas that offer readers something of value to read.

Suite 101: Do you think that there is a skill to journal/ memoir writing?

This question really made me think. I think that any can write a journal and gain something from it. The deeper the digging –of feeling and thinking and understanding—the more helpful journal writing is. I do think that it takes a little skill and practice and insight to learn to dig below the surface of one’s life—to see one’s sub-surface motivations, to identify areas that need change, and to change perspectives.

I think the journal is a spontaneous, creative act, in contrast to memoir writing. Memoir writing requires more planning, purpose, and polishing. Journal entries can be used as the raw material for a memoir, but for a good memoir, there needs to be a compelling storyline as well as some skill at the craft of writing.

Further Information:

Read our first interview with Ruth Follit or visit the LifeJournal website if you would like to try a free demo of the software.

The copyright of the article Interview with a Seasoned Journal Writer in Writing Memoirs is owned by Dulcinea Norton-Smith. Permission to republish Interview with a Seasoned Journal Writer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Ruth Follit