This winter, I am working for my Dutch young readers on a new MG adventure novel, which I have shaped into a logbook. Wherever I can I try and have a look at the logbooks of famous explorers and, without fault, they make me jealous. That is the way I’ve always wanted to keep a log, but never had the grit enough to keep it up for longer than a month. It’s one of my 2014 (or 2015) resolutions.
Of course, I am hoping that the new book will be illustrated, too. Maybe not as elaborate as the magnificent logbooks that were on display at the Polar Museum in Tromsø, but just enough to add that special feeling a travel log can give you.
How do you find the time and the willpower to keep a log or a diary? And if you do, is there a format you prefer?
If you find yourself near Tromsø – and winter 2014 would be the time for there is aurora borealis galore – do pay this charming museum a visit. It is packed with the most amazing relics from the harsh life above the arctic circle.
Tagged: Arctic circle, Aurora Borealis, logbook, northern lights, Norway, Polar Museum, Polarmuseet, Tromsø
Mina Witteman 
Hi Mina 🙂
I love keeping a journal. I have fine so since my tweens.
I also have a bit of an addiction to beautiful or unusual journals.
Just bought a new one at the end of last year. It is an antique hand bound teal leather Moroccan journal with an embellished gold guilted door on the front cover and two locked clasps in bronze. It also has acid free pages in a beautiful aged buttery cream as well as a handy hidden memory envelope at the back of the journal.
I prefer physical journals because I love paging through them years later. I have kept all my journals.
I also have used a digital journal – the best app for this Day1. This is useful when I want to capture a special moment in a photograph and can attach it easily here.
Journal writing is very close to my heart. For me it is a form of dreaming, memory-cherishing and therapy.
Lovely post. 🙂
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Now I envy you too, Kim! You must have shelves full of inspiration. Treasures!
Thank you for visiting my blog (which is as close as I can get to keeping a journal).
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What lovely journals in your photographs! Sounds like a great idea for your MG adventure.
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Beautiful, right? I just knew my book had to be like that. Let’s hope the publisher agrees. 🙂
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The thick spiral journals found at Barnes and Noble make really great journals for a year. Mostly because you don’t have to worry about taking too much room for art and there’s still a lot of room to do more writing.
When I’m out of inspiration and just need to get something down, I like to look at magazines and tear out pictures or quotes or articles to paste into my journal. Once you make a habit out of it after about two weeks, it’s hard to make yourself stop!
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Sometimes that is all it takes, Jacqui, a good journal and just that first dash of the pen or a scrap from a magazine, capturing a thought that would otherwise fleet by like a leaf in the wind. Thank you for visiting my blog!
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