Wednesday 21 March 2012

Meet A Journal Keeper: Lynn Fisher



I start most of my days with writing. When I was young I made brief attempts at keeping a journal, starting here, and ending there. I always thought if I found just the right journal…or just the right pen, it would all gel and I would be writer. At the time I never thought of combining my love for art with my love of writing in one journal, (I wrote entirely in spiral notebooks) but once I did, and abandoned the idea of writing on straight lines, it all came alive for me. Journaling has become a habit, one journal at a time. Not journaling now, is just NOT possible; I feel incomplete, as if I went to work without combing my hair.

Our personal stories are worth recording. As a writer and an artist, I can find no better way to begin than just beginning…put pen to the paper and start, and once I read Natalie Goldberg’s, Writing Down the Bones, I felt completely validated. I write every thought that I have, completely emptying my brain, letting it flood down my arms, through my fingers and pen. If I journal before beginning another writing task, I find that I have an easier time getting down the information. It’s as if I moved a giant road block that stands between me and the blank page.

I’ve used my journal to not only record my day, but to work on a novel, write poetry, or work out some issues with an article I’m writing…sometimes to write the entire article.

My journal is my cheerleader, my Mom, and the tiny, and the otherwise unnamed voices in my head. Also, I’ve developed a great fondness for “found poetry.” Found Poetry is poetry written with any group of words at hand; a single page from a magazine, or combination of two or three pages. I set my own “rules” and very often limit myself (for best results in the least amount of time) to a single ad, mixing up only the words found there, and gluing them down on a painted background, letting the words be what they want to be.

I have now amassed what most people would regard as a fire hazard of journals in a variety of sizes, shapes, handmade, or store bought. All reflect the joy and heartache of the examined life in a way that most precisely mirrors what and who I am as a person right now.



Lynn Fisher

http://onandoffthepage.blogspot.com

19 comments:

  1. This is awesome. I feel validated as well, and oh so incredibly inspired! I too have a lifelong collection of journals and childhood diaries...always writing...and doing art separately. Discovering Art Journaling was one of the highpoints of my creative life! This interview is wonderful, and I really like the way you write, tell, describe... Thank you. When I go too long without journaling, I feel at a loss, unfulfilled, stagnant. It feel so good to know there are others in this! Kath

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Kathy, and thank you as well Dolly for this opportunity. I love meeting like-minded people and possibly meeting new friends.
    Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I used to journal but sadly stopped some years back, can't recall why exactly. I am going to revisit my old journals. I may begin again. Thanks for the inspiration ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dolly,
    Thanks so much for having Lynn Fisher's Journaling Story highlighted here on Journal Addict!

    Lynn, your post is delightful! I love how you combine your journaling with art and image to express yourself. It is always a wonderful shift to experience when you discover your own personal style that really works for you, especially on a deeper level. I also appreciate how your journaling prompts other writing...it does for me as well. It's a terrific writing jumpstart. Found poetry is a very inspiring idea...I may just try that in my own art journaling!

    I have chosen your post, Meet a Journal Keeper: Lynn Fisher, as the #JournalChat Pick of the Day on 3/21/12 for all things journaling on Twitter.
    I will post a link on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, my blog and website Refresh with Dawn Herring, and in Refresh Journal, my weekly e-journal: http://refreshwithdawnherring.blogspot.com/.

    You're welcome to join us for #JournalChat Live on Thursdays at 5 EST/2 PST for all things journaling on Twitter; our topic this week is Your Journaling: Making Time.

    Thanks again for sharing your journaling story, which is quite inspiring!

    Be refreshed,
    Dawn Herring
    JournalWriter Freelance
    Host of #JournalChat Live and Links Edition on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dawn! So nice to find you here. (like minds must gravitate to the same things...I wish we could all gravitate to the same coffee shop sometime...but that might be difficult)
    Yes, found poetry is a must try...and National Poetry Month is coming up.
    Thanks for sharing the post Dawn. I love chatting with new people I meet this way.
    Take Care.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lori...welcome! I know, I know, it is hard to develope a habit of journal keeping, but once you do it only brings joy. Try it for three months, and you'll be hooked.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Excellent post! I just love journal addicts!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the post. You are a great writer Lynn!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Excellent. Motivated me to pick up the pen again.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lynn,

    Thank you for this lovely post :-)

    Everyone else,
    Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lynn, love your inspiration. I must pick up a pen tonight! Sue

    ReplyDelete
  12. Like to write movie reviews or want to know how to do it? In this tuesdays with morrie movie review you can see how it is done.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hire corporate secretarial services for the incorporation company in Singapore and to know about the Singapore tax calculator

    ReplyDelete
  14. Business for sale in Singapore - Easy Buy Sell Business is the online platform to buy and sell business online visit easybuysellbusiness.com to know more

    ReplyDelete
  15. Company registry search in Hong Kong visit 3ecpa.com.hk, as they help you in setting up business in Hong Kong

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey! Thank you arthour for that blog and opportunity of readers to tell their thoughts! I am professional writer, so for me it is quite important and interesting to read your blog, 'cause it contains good info, you can read mine at https://cheap-papers.com/ writing service, and I promise that you will be interested in my articles too, guess they will be useful for your future articles in blog.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your Blog Post is too informative for me to keep sharing that information But you need to add secretarial services like Corporate Secretarial Services in Singapore and business incorporation Singapore, Singapore permanent resident renewal etc.

    ReplyDelete
  19. . As a writer and an artist, I can find no better way to begin than just beginning…put pen to the paper and start, and once I read Natalie Goldberg’s, Writing Down the Bones, I felt completely validated. I write every thought that I have, completely emptying love language test my brain, letting it flood down my arms, through my fingers and pen. If I journal before beginning another writing task, I find that I have an easier time getting down the information. It’s as if I moved a giant road block that stands between me and the blank page. I’ve used my journal to not only record my day, but to work on a novel, write poetry, or work out some issues with an article I’m writing…sometimes to write the entire article.

    ReplyDelete