Voice of Her Own: Women and the Journal Writing Journey

by Marlene A. Schiwy

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684803429
• ISBN13: 9780684803425
• Release Date: May 1996
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

a wonderful book

I love this book. I have gone through it twice, making notes, rereading parts of it again and again. As someone else mentioned earlier this book is worth its price for the bibliography alone. In the pages of this book I have been introduced to new writers who after I read their books introduced me to more new writers and on and on. The book gives examples of the writing journey to selfhood of many women writers. The chapter on dreams and their importance to understanding the inner journey was insightful. For the writer in you the appendix of the book includes writing topics to accompany some of the chapters. It is an encouraging and affirming book of women and their writing primarily journaling. It is a good gift book for mothers, sisters, friends, daughters - for any woman who likes to write.

In between journaling, treat yourself to this book...

This is such a lovely read, I enjoyed it thoroughly and always looked forward to getting back to it. Schiwy has a psychoanalytic approach and an accessible writing style that bond together beautifully. She mixes techniques, encouragement, and deep thinking about why and how women can keep journals. The excerpts from various journals merge seamlessly with her own text, and I am now enjoying researching some of the journals to which she has introduced me. An appendix gives a long list of journal-writing topics, corresponding to the chapter themes, and the endnotes and bibliography are similarly extensive. Schiwy demonstrates such respect and love for the women's journals into which she has either peeked or delved, she sidesteps the voyeuristic aspect of reading someone else's most private words. Perhaps to narrow her theme, Schiwy focuses on women's journals, but using a journal to break free of patriarchic strangleholds is not limited to women only, and I found some of the feminism to come dangerously near to male-bashing, so gents, approach with caution. Some of these journals are from famous women; some are the you and me of the secret society of diarists. Still, women's journals should not be of interest only to women, so gents, take the plunge along with us! This is both a practical and a theoretical handbook, one of the best overviews of journal writing I've had the pleasure to read.

Excellent Work!

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!

Journal writing is an important tool in life

This is a wonderful book on journaling. If you liked this book and would like to read and use more books on journaling, read "The Healing Journey" and "The Healing Journey for Couples," both by Phil Rich. There are also 5 other journaling books in the Healing Journey series, including "The Healing Journey Through Menopause," and "The Healing Journey Through Divorce."

Sensitive, caring and instructive ; a gentle guide !

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.