The Journal Newsletter

April 2003
Volume 4, Issue 4

Introduction
The Journal News
Tips & Tricks
Writing Exercises
Submissions

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to The Journal Newsletter!

On 10 April, The Journal 3 Build #45 was released. See the news section below for more information about this update to The Journal. Also in the news section is the announcement of Writing Prompts 1, the latest add-on package for The Journal.

Susan provides another set of writing exercises, and this month's tip discusses how to use the new Calendar Charms feature of The Journal.

Thank you for supporting DavidRM Software's The Journal!

THE JOURNAL NEWS

Current Version
The Journal 3.0 Build #45 is the most recent release. You can download it from here:
http://www.davidrm.com/thejournal/

Writing Prompts 1 Now Available
Writing Prompts 1 for The Journal can help you improve your writing skills!

With over 2000 words, Writing Prompts 1 for The Journal can create thousands of prompts to help you practice your writing skills!

Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, poetry or prose, Writing Prompts 1 for The Journal can help you improve your writing skills.

Sometimes humorous, sometimes profound, the prompts created by Writing Prompts 1 are always thought-provoking!

Learn more about the Writing Prompts 1 add-on package for The Journal:
http://www.davidrm.com/thejournal/tjfeatures-wprompts1.php

TIPS & TRICKS

TIP: Calendar Charms

The Journal now includes "Calendar Charms"!

Calendar Charms are small icons that you can use to mark special entries. Mark good days, mark bad days, mark appointments, mark holidays, and more.

Calendar Charms are displayed on the calendar, as well as in the �entry tree�. Every entry can be marked with a Calendar Charm, in standard (daily) categories and even in loose-leaf categories.

Setting (or Changing) an Entry's Calendar Charm

Menu: Entry | Set Entry Calendar Charm
Hot-key: Ctrl+F2

Removing an Entry's Calendar Charm

To remove the Calendar Charm from an entry, do this:

1. Bring up the Set Entry Calendar Charm form.
2. Click on "Clear".
3. Click on "Select".

More Calendar Charms Coming

You'll notice that there is some "blank space" in Calendar Charms. As The Journal continues to grow and improve, new Calendar Charms will be added.

If you have suggestions for new Calendar Charms, please feel free to email me and let me know: davidrm@davidrm.com

WRITING EXERCISES

by Susan Michael

Free Writing Exercise - Write for 20 minutes (without editing) in any style using "arrivals and departures" as your starter.

Poetry Exercise - Write a poem using the following start: "What good is a day..."

Prose Exercise - Write a story that begins with your character peering out from behind a curtain.

Journaling Exercise - Consider the indulgences in your life. In what ways do you indulge yourself? List behaviors, attitudes, diet, routines, etc. Reflect on how you are affected, both benefits or detriments. Also, reflect on how others are affected, positively or negatively.

Memoir Prompt - If you were to assemble a time capsule of your entire life, what items would you select or make reference to? Reflect on things you have done and events that have happened in your lifetime.

About the author: Susan Michael has facilitated several writing groups, and has lead writing & creativity workshops for the Arts & Humanities Council in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

If you would like to contribute to the "How I Use The Journal", "Writing Exercises", or "Tips & Tricks" sections, or would like to submit an article about journaling or another The Journal-related topic, we would love to hear from you.

Submissions for the newsletter should be sent to: davidrm@davidrm.com

If you are submitting for a particulare section, please indicate which one. Try to limit your submissions to 500-1000 words. Submissions may be edited for length and content.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, please state this in the email. Otherwise your name (but not your email) will be used in the article heading.

As always, if you have any suggestions for, or bug reports about, The Journal, please feel free to email them. Both are always welcome.