Voice of Her Own: Women and the Journal Writing Journey [Paperback]

Marlene A. Schiwy (Author), Marion Woodman (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Part how-to, part historical account, literary scholar Schiwy's work validates women's need to keep a journal and, as such, their need to express emotions. "Journal writing is a way of paying close attention to our lives," she writes. From preteen diaries to unsent letters and invented dialogs, women record their lives, and Schiwy allows the voyeuristic pleasure of reading the results, from Anais Nin's deep introspection to a mother coping with life. For women who want to keep a journal but don't know how to start, Schiwy's appendixes are leaps into self-actualization. In the tradition of Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones (Shambhala, 1986), Schiwy gives writers the ever-needed boost of self-confidence: her goal is to encourage "women to take themselves and other women seriously in their own right." Read better in pieces, her work is a keeper. Recommended for public libraries.?Penny L. Piva, Univ. of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Why do women keep journals? Both diarists and women puzzled by an urge to begin journal writing will benefit from reading Schiwy's lively overview of an increasingly popular, often transforming habit. A diarist herself for nearly three decades and a journal workshop innovator, Schiwy considers every aspect of journal keeping, from how and why keeping a journal can make life more meaningful to various types of journals and writing styles. She offers advice about choosing blank books, keeping a journal private, and deciding when to reread old journals. Schiwy also delves into the history of women diarists and discusses the many reasons women keep diaries at different stages of life. Just the act of setting aside a block of time, however brief, to focus on and freely express thoughts and feelings is psychically healthy, but journals also "affirm the value of lives," preserve memories and dreams, and help women perceive emotional and physiological patterns in their lives, work out problems, and, frankly, record observations that are too sharp to share. Donna Seaman

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (May 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684803429
• ISBN-13: 978-0684803425
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good source of inspiration for creative journal writing., March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Voice of Her Own: Women and the Journal Writing Journey (Paperback)

Starts slow but is chock-full of good ideas for creative journal writing. Author relies heavily on other sources - diarists, workshop participants, and others who write about journaling. The well-chosen quotes provide a good balance of perspectives and encouragement regarding the utility of writing for one's self.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive, caring and instructive ; a gentle guide !, August 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Voice of Her Own: Women and the Journal Writing Journey (Paperback)

I felt as though I were guided by a caring friend throughout the ins and outs of journal keeping. That Ms.Schiwy illuminates the many different ways to keep a journal and, as well, the different reasons why someone would benefit emotionally as well as spiritually, is a plus. Perhaps we all could just pick up any old book and take pen in hand, and nothing would be wrong with that , be she makes the adventure of recording one's thoughts much more interesting and potentially more creative by her suggestions. Added highlights are excerpts from other women's journals, as well as her own. A must have book for anyone looking to undwerstand themselves better through the art of journal writing.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work!, April 6, 2001

By 

H. Rose (Middlefield, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voice of Her Own: Women and the Journal Writing Journey (Paperback)

This is not a "how-to" book AT ALL. (It could be used that way if you want it to be that sort of book - and it would probably be among the best!) It's a book about all that it means to be a woman and to keep a journal while living a life. Absolutely wonderful work - great thinking and great writing. If you've kept a journal, or have possesion of a family members journal, if you've ever wanted to keep a journal, or if you wonder what journal keeping is all about - this is a first rate book.

Enjoy!