The New Diary: How to Use a Journal for Self-Guidance and Expanded Creativity

These days, the market is awash in pre-packaged journals and books about journal writing, yet Tristine Rainer's 1979 book is still the best on the subject. Unlike most journal guides today, which are generally highly structured prompt books, offer little more than a series of possible (or, according to the program, mandatory) topics or systems, Rainer offers broad kinds of writing and invites the reader to be aware of them as they guide themselves. Her four broad modes of writing encompass everything from automatic writing to cathartic (one form of this is The Artist's Way's Morning Pages) to the most crafted and reflective journal essay. Her seven special techniques (lists, dialog, etc.) have been used in specialized ways in countless other journaling books. She addresses special topics such as writing honestly about sex or deliberately recognizing joy in your journal (long before the Simple Abundance journal), as well. Yet, every suggestion is presented undogmatically, as a possibility among many. The important issue of privacy (for the journal and its writer) gets as detailed and thoughtful a treatment as I've ever read. Rainer emphasizes integration of all aspects of life into one journal, rather than separate specialty or overly programatic journal writing. Best of all, she opens up the possibility of using self-reflection and observation to direct rich journal writing, rather than prompt and gimmick dependency. The wonderful examples she quotes are the best proof of how fruitful self-directed journal writing can be. I've read many, many of the journal writing books on the market, and I have yet to find one that offers as much to the would-be journal writer or does so with such inspiring simplicity and eloquence as Tristine Rainer's book.

This is probably the best book on journaling I have ever read. I only have one hesitation in recommending it: I think that a person who is new to keeping a journal may find the book somewhat daunting. But for someone who has been doing this for a while, this book is bound to be inspirational and even exhilerating. I marked it up so much, I wonder if I left any page empty of my comments. Even though I have been an avid diarist for decades, I found many wonderful and new ideas in this book to keep me going for the rest of my life! Thank you to the author for her commitment to journaling.

When I found this book in 1990, I had no idea what a life changing experience reading it would prove to be. Over the years, I have experimented with the techniques and approaches the author suggests and I always discover something new about myself and my creativity in the process. It is at the top of my list of recommendations for diary and journal writers of all ages and experience. It is truly a classic.

I read this book several years ago and loved it so much I gave it to friends and family that year for Christmas. I thought it was out of print and am delighted to see that it's not. This is an important resource for everyone who has considered keeping a journal. I keep one sporadically, to help me clarify thoughts and work through issues. If you've ever thought "I don't know what I'd write", this book is for you because it presents a large number of methods to get your thoughts going and offers different techniques depending on the nature of the issue at hand. For example, it explains how to write a conversation out between you and another person to resolve an open issue. I used this to "vent" about an issue with a friend who had grown distant. Surprisingly, when I wrote "her" part of the conversation, I was able to see her point of view much more clearly than I had before, and was able to approach her situation with compassion. I never had the conversation with my friend at all (I had my reasons), and the way I viewed the situation changed, and today we are very close again. The exercise was perfect for helping me get the issue off my chest and put it to rest. It's full of excellent methods for using the journal as a tool of growth, introspection and clarity.