Voice of Her Own: Women and the Journal Writing Journey

by Marlene A. Schiwy, Marion Woodman (Introduction)

From Simon & Schuster, A Women of Her Own is Marlene Schiwy's treasure chest of inspiration for every woman seeking deeper self-awareness and new outlets for creativity.

Voice of Her Own offers advice on keeping a journal, including choosing a blank book, keeping the journal private, and deciding when to reread old journals.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Journaling, Language, Self Help

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 1996

Reviews

[Susan K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intellectual and beautifully written from the heart. Carefully selected quotes from famous diarists, complete with explanations how they relate to womens’ current lives. I have made many notes as it has become a companion book through my ongoing journalling journey. This book would be great in an updated edition to reflect our changing feminist cultures.

[Yuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me 4 months to finish this book. 4 entire months! Gosh, that was long. It was all worthwhile though.
As a sporadic diarist, I found the book very inspiring. It provides a lot of practical information on journaling and many quotes from actual entries from various women’s diaries, beautifully illustrating what it means for women to write in their own voices. I’d recommend this to anyone who is just embarking on a journaling journey or a seasoned diarist who is stuck for new ideas to write about.

Now, time to read something new! After reading a nonfiction book for ages, I could do with a good fictional book to curl up with on a cold day.

[Albs]

Carol Grossman recommended at DFI Shabbaton

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is ‘Woman and the Journal Writing Journey’, & when I saw it in the stacks I knew it was meant for me. It has inspired so many ideas, for my own journal, that I have kept for over twenty years but unfortunately I haven’t taken the time to write. The appendix in the back is full of great ideas for journal entries . This time of year I always find a tough time finding time to write the days get so jammed up with preparations for Christmas. The other aspect of this book I found so enthralling is the idea that I’m part of a chain of history of women who have written about their life and their times. Only fleetingly have I ever thought of someone reading my journal when I’m gone, but the authors had a section on planning for the future of your journal, to designate a friend to burn, or what she suggests is donating it to a Woman’s Journal collection. I’ll have to think about that.

[Hella]

In dit boek worden veel gepubliceerde dagboeken geciteerd, er worden ideeën aangereikt om creatiever te schrijven, om dieper te gaan en om jezelf steeds beter te leren kennen (een must voor goed schrijverschap). Om duidelijk te maken hoe het dagboek je van dienst kan zijn in het schrijfproces, citeert Schiwy af en toe uit het dagboek dat ze zelf bijhield tijdens het schrijven van dit boek. Bij elk hoofdstuk staan schrijfveren om dat in praktijk te brengen, en hoewel de methode hier rapid writing wordt genoemd, komt het op hetzelfde neer.
Aanrader!

[Melvie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books is best for it's bibliography, but I liked they way Schiwy delves into *all* the aspects of journal writing and her selections from other journals are spot on. It got me to write in my journal again and that's saying something!

[Marianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information. Sometimes gets bogged down in Jungian analysis type stuff which is a little too left field for my taste. The book also starts to repeat itself at the end. The exercises in the appendix are excellent.

[Liaken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about journaling. Sometimes the author gives a little too much of herself, which I find distracting rather than inspiring. But it has good historical context and writing ideas.

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prerequisite to writing and publishing your own journals. Very detailed and diverse.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that actually leaves you wanting to write. It infuses the psychic energy the muses run on. One star off on account of the length, a few other minor complaints.