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The word journal is a rather broad term, including such things as newspapers, scientific papers, diaries and notebooks. This entry is about the use of notebooks, and focuses on the problem of restricting oneself to a single medium when using a notebook to develop creative thoughts. First, though, we will look at the more traditional forms of journal keeping.

Writer's Notebook

The traditional writer's notebook is, in essence, a written journal of one's thoughts. The writer might jot down pieces of poetry, journalism, fact, fiction or anything else that is literary, but there would seem to be some unwritten rule that writers are restricted to writing. Most 'how to write' books encourage budding authors to write their thoughts down daily, but therein lies the problem. Writers block, distractions, lack of time or just simple laziness can lead to the individual putting off writing in their journal, starting off a slippery slope which ends with the journal being lost in the mists of time.

This, then, is the problem with the traditional writer's notebook - only writing one's thoughts is, to many people, a restrictive act that grates on their nerves.

Artist's Notebook

Writers are not the only creative fellows to keep journals for professional purposes. Many books on the subject of 'how to draw' recommend keeping an artist's notebook, in which the artist draws their thoughts and develops concept works. The notebook therefore contains mainly visual illustrations, and while some people are able to express themselves fully through art, others may feel unable to draw all of their ideas and feelings.

Other Notebooks

• Musician's notebooks - these can contain ditties and songs as well as fully fledged operas and orchestral pieces. They usually consist of staves holding the notes, with any lyrics written next to the melodies.
• Scientific notebooks - used to record findings, readings and so forth in various subjects; geology and archaeology for instance.
• Lawyer's notebooks¹ - entries may include court notes, interview records, relevant newspaper and magazine clippings.
• Dream journals - these are used to make records of dreams, nightmares and sleep patterns.
• Photo albums - these can contain both the photographs and notes of time, place etc.
• Scrapbooks - traditionally used to keep photos and cuttings in, along with explanatory writing.
• Trainspotter's notebook - used to record details of rolling stock and so forth.
• Birdwatcher's notebook - including details of birds seen, and perhaps sketches of wildlife.
• Recipe books - these records of how to make various meals can contain more than just the formulae required.
• Online journals - known as 'blogs', these allow the user to include writing, current mood and perhaps the song they are currently listening to.
• Voice journals - basically consisting of series of recordings, these need careful indexing.

The problem with all of the above notebooks is that de facto rules and stereotypes exist, forcing the individual to stick to a predetermined format and to ignore thoughts which have no place in a particular type of journal.

The Hybrid Journal

When the problem is phrased this way, the solution becomes quite clear. Individuals keeping a hybrid journal are not confined by stereotypes or rules, allowing them to record anything they want in any way they want. While it is not a new concept, the beauty of the hybrid journal is that it may contain anything: notes, poems, lyrics, music, sketches, clippings, stories, articles, photos, inventions, and anything you can stick down with PVA glue. This doesn't mean you must use every mode of recording your thought, as the key is simply to remember that you can do anything you want. The hybrid journal therefore contains aspects of all journals, ranging from the details of a writer's notebook to the freedom of a child's scrapbook, allowing the owner to use whatever medium they see fit.

The purpose of a journal is to record your thoughts and feelings so that you can convert them to a particular medium later on. It therefore doesn't make sense to painstakingly formalise your thoughts and feelings while they are slowly slipping away.

How to Keep a Hybrid Journal

Due to the fact that it is hard to draw on lined paper, you should also include blank sheets of paper in your journal. It is best to have a folder or binder to which you can add new sheets so that you only have to carry your current pages with you, along with a pencil and other useful materials. It is a good idea to keep these with you at all times, as you never know when inspiration may come knocking at your door.

The Modern World

You may want to use a laptop or handheld device with both sketch and word processing facilities. The advantages of this approach are that you can edit your notebook and you will never run out of paper, but beware of low batteries. The other bonus of using modern technology is that some devices can be used to access h2g2 Mobile.

Mass Observation

Having created a journal of your thoughts, you may want others to read them. While online journals are useful for this, there are some organisations² which collate, index and archive people's journals to create a large database. This is known as mass observation, and the records can be used to create books about a certain topic³ and are also useful to those studying changing attitudes and demographic trends. h2g2 itself might be considered a form of mass observation.

Getting Started

So you've decided to keep a journal, and you're looking at that first blank page wondering what to do. Starting a journal is always difficult, but remember that once you've got the hang of it, keeping going will be much easier. A good way to start is to make a front cover, perhaps expressing your main intentions and expectations using whatever medium you want. Next, you'll have to start looking around for clues, although the best place to find these may not be out there, but inside. Good luck.

Further Reading