The New Diary

I think that this is a FANTASTIC book for beginners (and well beyond) -- especially those who journal only sporadically or repeatedly "give up" and throw out journals, feeling like we've failed at it...The New Diary will give you a NEW perspective!! With this book, you'll learn HOW to journal effectively -- what it really means, changing your perceptions of how it "should" be done...allowing you to use it more effectively in discovering yourself!!

I must say that when I ordered this book, I had NO idea that it was originally published in 1978...if I had known that I would NOT have ordered it...but, as it turns out, this was a VERY fortuitous oversight on my part!! The New Diary defiantly holds up 20+ years later!!! There is a rather timeless quality about the information found here and and even greater timeless quality to the way in which it is presented!! The "seven special techniques" are very helpful (and used time and again -- in their own special ways -- in various other books on Journaling)...these are techniques that seem perfectly logical and "mundane..." but they are in fact easily overlooked as journaling techniques by those of us bound to outdated styles of journal keeping -- using The New Diary as a reference once you've read it through will help you keep your journaling "fresh" --allowing you to get the most benefit from it!!

I also like what you DON'T get in The New Diary!! What you don't get here is a forced, stylized, and/or a pre-packaged journal that forces you to do it one way and one way only...this book allows you to get what YOU need out of the experience, rather than being told what you need and how someone else thinks you should do it!! All you get here (and it's MORE than adequate) is good, solid information which provides you with an equally solid foundation upon which you can develop your journaling skills!!

I really love how the author stresses the integration of ALL aspects of your life into your journaling -- using self-reflection and observation as a means to enrich journal writing!!

Finally...the examples given here of various journals -- allowing us to "see" exactly how a technique can be used...this was EXTREMELY helpful both while I was reading the book, as well as when I went back to it as a reference!!

I give The New Diary an A+ for content and usability...I think it will continue to be one of THE best resources on journaling for another 20 years!!

I Give it a B+ for price...it has a LIST price of 14.95...I got it from Amazon for 10.47...I much preferred paying the latter...if I'd spotted this at my local book store, I probably would have passed it up for something a little less expensive -- this was prior to reading it...now that I've read it and used it....I'd pay the 14.95 in a heart beat!!


Still the Best Book on the Subject Decades Later   February 5, 2004
 33 out of 35 found this review helpful

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. Her four 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 dependancy. 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.


Great Creative Reference   April 5, 2002
 21 out of 23 found this review helpful

I bought this book because I have been keeping a journal for several years. During an interview, the subject of journaling came up and I was asked what I had learned about myself through keeping a journal. After reflecting on the question, I realized I hadn't been using the journal for introspection, rather only as a method to record things that were occurring in my life. I recognized that truly gaining the most from keeping a journal meant exploring my own strengths and weaknesses through creative discovery. The New Diary has helped me do that...She has not let me down. The New Diary contains a wealth of ideas to unleash the exploratory potential of a journal for personal growth. I will refer to it time and time again when wanting to try new techniques to learn about my experiences and relationships. This book acts as a great source for ideas.

Highly recommended! Well worth the purchase.


A Nice Supplement for Journaling Efforts   February 6, 2002
A truly useful supplement to discover and express yourself through journaling. I particularly liked the detailed descriptions of the seven special techniques, some of which I had used before, some I had not. I have to admit, the chapter on eroticism challenged and thrilled me - opening my writing to a genre and sexual awareness I was not previously embracing. Perfect for those who want to use journaling and writing for a therapeutic process and adventure.