This week on Romance Writers Weekly, A.S. Fenichel wants to know who keeps a journal. Why? Why not? What kind of things to you write: personal, writerly, vague or stream of consciousness? If you want to share a journal entry, we’d love to know your innermost thoughts.

During my teens, I religiously kept a journal or “diary” as they were called when T-Rex roamed the earth.  Never too fancy about it, an unpretentious spiral notebook served for my mental meanderings and daily activities. Not too long ago, I read some of them and met the person I used to be. Thankfully, I’ve matured and learned a few things.

Later on, a full-time job then a family pushed my logging of life into the abyss. After personal computers became a home standard, (yes I learned to type on a typewriter – GASP), I began to journal again, but entries were sporadic. I’ve always used pen in hand as a  catharsis and wrote many stories during my elementary years.

Now,  I tend to write “shorts” instead of a daily or weekly diary. Usually it’s when I’m dealing with something in life, that I can’t get a handle on. I’ll sit down to the computer or whip out a spiral notebook. Last fall I wrote about selling the family home left to my sibling and me. It was an emotionally draining time for several reasons, but also an unexpected final goodbye to my parents.

Also, the past couple of summers I’ve kept a daily record of my family’s beach vacation as it seems to be over in a flash. I want to remember each day. Wish I’d kept a log of our trips over the years… it’d certainly have some great book material.

Here’s something I’ll share from last December during Christmas vacation when my son and I went to see the  Star Wars movie – Rogue One. Be aware, there’s spoiler in case you haven’t seen the flick.

December 27, 2016.  Got up a little late and started laundry then tided the house. By time Hunter returned from gym, we rushed to Cinema Café to see Star Wars – Rogue One.  He’d had seen it the day but wanted to take Mom. He’d reserved the seats and everything. I went in knowing Carrie Fisher had a heart attack last Friday before Christmas. The last scene in the movie shows her (younger self) receiving the plans for the Death Star the rebels had stolen and she says, “Now we have hope.”

The credits begin to roll and a woman in the balcony shouts, “Carrie Fisher is dead. May the force be with her.” I swear I almost broke down in tears. The timing literally caught me off guard.  Hunter was furious with her.  He’d seen the breaking news on the phone when he’d gone to the restroom but didn’t want to spoil the ending by telling me.

I had a drink when I got home and then proceeded to feel like crap.

Now let’s see if Leslie Hachtel keeps a journal and is willing to share a sample.  If you haven’t visited A.S. Fenichel please check her her post on keeping journal.