Roy Hoffman's essay blog 2

We read a very interesting essay in our books about keeping a journal. I personally don't have a journal but i think am going to start writing in one. The writer was a very insightful man and these are the things from the essay that really stirred feelings in me that i wanted to share.
The essay that we worked on in our books was a very interesting and thoughtful essay. We used the double entry process on it, but the way I like to work is to read the whole thing and then take notes on it. The essay was about how everyone should try to keep a journal, diary or notebook with them so that they can write down how they feel or what they see at any given time.
When reading this essay the first word that popped out at me was the word notebook. The writer said he started carrying around a notebook when he and his friend started a trip to Alaska. My first thought was, what kind of notebook was it. But then I started thinking about how he started journaling so late in life. I was always told that I should keep a diary or a journal of some sort, but I could never get into it. I guess you just need the right experience to want to write out your thoughts and feelings.
So I continued on with my reading and I found a phrase that really popped out at me, the younger me. The writer was talking about looking back through his notebooks and seeing a different person then he was today, and I can relate to that. I have been out of high school for 3 years, which to some isn’t a long time; but amazingly, it is in terms of maturity and experience. No, I am not saying that I know everything now. There is no way to know everything and i wouldn't want to know everything. But i have been through a lot in the last three years that has totally put a different focus on things and i don't think like i used to. I am not as easy-going as i used to be. It is amazing how much you can change in a short amount of time.
The writer kept going on about writing out all of your experiences. He kept stressing that you should write down how you feel about pretty much everything, but i have never really been able to do that but i will try to do it every now and then. I know that it is a good way to look back and remember how you used to feel about a certain event that is now fuzzy.
There was something that the writer put in the essay that really stuck out to me. He wrote, and i quote, “honesty wilts when a parent, teacher, or a friend looms up in your imagination to discourage you from putting your true thoughts on the page.” i have personally found this to be true. That is the thing that gets in my way when i write. I always hear a voice telling me not to write this or that. When you learn to control that inner voice and to find a place where you wont be distracted; this will help anyone become a better writer.
By keeping notebooks is the last phrase that struck my mind at the end of this reading. The writer continues on and tells us to write like no one is going to look at what we wrote. He tells us that notebooks will help link us to the past if we ever look through them one rainy, cold day. I agree. I have looked at letters i have written or saved and i remember that exact day. How i felt reading the letter, or the private jokes my friends and i shared. Writing will keep your memories down so you don't forget and it will also help you in your writing process. It helps you to loosen up and just express yourself.

My opinion of Roy Hoffman's Journal: Blog 4

I personally have never even thought of keeping a journal. Writing isn't something that I really like to do in my free time. When ever I do write it's usually because I have to for school. Keeping a journal wouldn't be the best way for me to be reminded of things that I've done in the past. Pictures and my mind help me retain the memories that I find important to me. I feel like if I don't remember the incident right off of the top of my head then it obviously wasn't that great of a memory anyway. I may not remember the minor details of past memories but I know the bulk of it and what they mean to me. I'm not saying that keeping a journal is dumb, it's just not something I ever see myself doing.
I think that Roy Hoffman started keeping a journal a little later than most people. He started this his freshman year of college. That would make him about eighteen years old. From what I have observed it seems like most people start to keep journals at young ages, not in their late teenage years. I suppose that it's never too late to do anything, unless you're dead. It's a good way for him to remind him self that he was once young. His journals remind him of the faintest details of his life ranging from a girl he had a crush on to students riding by the library on squeaky bicycles.
I don't totally agree with Hoffman's idea that every college student should keep a journal or diary. Some students don't have tome to keep a journal. I know that I barely have time for the necessities of life like working, going to school, and trying to find time to study. I do think that in the long run keeping a journal will make you a better writer. If I did keep a journal I would be able to write my true thoughts and feelings down with out being embarrassed like I would be if I told someone in person.
In my opinion Hofman kept a journal because he enjoyed to do so. Writing in his journal was something that he did as a leisure activity. If you like to write and read about your memories and things from the past then keeping a journal would be a good idea. A journal would also provide information about your life that could be passed down generation to generation. The journal would speak for you when you couldn't.

Double Entry Log

It was quite difficult for me to analyze the key ideas of Roy Hoffman's journal entry and then, in return, give my reactions. I tried my best but with every reaction I gave, I second guessed the answers.
When Hoffman talked about carrying a journal around college, I thought he started doing it at such a late age range but agreed that it was a great idea. I could tell that he wanted to be a writer by writing down his surroundings, thoughts, and ideas instead of taking pictures and having to explain it to everyone that he showed. It also showed that he was sort of a sensitive person in not telling other people of his problems, but by writing them down so he could look at them later and think to himself on how he fixed it or what else he should have done.
The idea of the galumping moose and garrulous fisherman was a great idea of using an analogy to compare the world around him being full and rich with the material he needed for his journals, and notebooks. It showed that there is a lot of material around him that he could use as there are a lot of materials for the moose and fisherman to use for their everyday use.
The idea of his life being like a portrait, to me, showed the Hoffman really missed home while he was away at college. With everything that Hoffman came in contact with, reminded him of home also, and helped him get through everyday with the happy memories. Hoffman also said that he kept going each year by the previous semesters and knowing what was coming his way the next.
I agree with Hoffman all the way when he stated that, "Everyone should carry around a notebook or journal." It helps people to remember what they've come across and to have some privacy so they can dance, sing, muse, wander, perform handstands, and even cry and know that no one will ever judge them.
He also said that carrying a notebook, which I believe as well, helps your writing ability by increasing your capacity to communicate with yourself and others. You can then learn from your mistakes and fix them, so you have something to look back on for future reference.

Double Entry On Keeping a Journal Blog 11

Roy Hoffman said that he obtained his first notebook journal when he was a freshman in college. My first reaction to that was that it seemed a little late. I don't have a journal, but most people get them when they are really young.
His first entry said "Wild, crazy ecstasy wants to wrench my head from my body."
Okay so I know he was excited, but it kind of seemed morbid to me. I mean he does put it in a very descriptive way, but I would not have put it in those exact words. I wonder what exactly he was doing to be thinking like that? It's just really confusing to me.
He considered college notebooks as gold mines. I thought that it was a great way to think. It makes me wish I had one cept I would probably do it on the computer since I am much more efficient on the computer. I thought it was cool how he used those entries for his work later on in life. It's where he got alot of his ideas and they were more realistic.
Clouds. He said his friends, family, and everything in college were clouds. I was confused by this. Maybe he thought since none of them were the same, or maybe because they brightened the sky? I just really want to know why he considered people so close to him, clouds.
When reading his entries he said "like a wheel, home revolves, each turn regarded differently depending on the novel or political essay I'd been most influenced by the previous semester. I really liked how he put this. It was very interesting to me to read. It had so much truth behind it.

The writer of necessity

I am mostly a writer of necessity, usually to get something accomplished. Such as an argumentative letter, or to get a specific point across to someone. I write allot of notes and keep allot of records such as my sugar levels, blood test, and medical procedures. I keep written logs for vocational rehab, and work one. I am a very fictional writer, such as comical short stories for or about friends. I have started several songs that will probably never get finished, however I really hope they do. I enjoy writing the comical short stories for, and about my friends. It is fun for me, and my friends. Laughter is always a good way to lift everyone’s spirits.
I can see myself being a better writer the more I am subjected to the aspect of different types of writing. The fact that I have not been a writer of essays, poems, or any other artistic writing does not limit my writing by any means. I actually have a lot ideas that I would like to write about. Writing short stories about the things that are going on around me would definitely be possibilities for me to be a successful writer. Considering the fact that a successful writer can be some one who writes about anything, success is that the ready gets the point and can get into your mind and understand what you are trying to say.
This class is not really what I was expecting. It is actually very interesting, and I enjoy it a lot. It will definitely help me in my endeavors as a professional person. Although web management is my major, I will need to do a lot of writing for every class. It has already helped me with my public speaking class; it helps me get ideas, details and points of view in line with what I am actually trying to give my speeches about.

1. Characterizing Yourself as a Writer

Most writing I do now is freewriting or journaling. I began journaling at a very young age of seven. I received a diary as a Christmas present from my Grandmother. She encouraged me to log thoughts, feelings, and events I had throughout the day. I have continued to keep a journal over the years.
I began freewriting a few years ago. It was suggested to me when I had a problem to write about it. If I didn't know what to write, or became blocked, to write anything. For example, names, places, short thoughts; it doesn't have to make sense, as long as I continue to write my mind will form thoughts, and my feelings will begin to be written on the problem at hand. I may not end with a solution, but I will have a better idea of what to do or how to handle the situation. After freewriting about a troublesome situation I do feel better. There are times that I do read over things that I have journaled. I usually do not edit anything that I have written in my journals or freewriting. The reason for this is I am the only one to see these entries.
I am beginning to do essays again. I have not written an essay in over a decade. I am somewhat intimidated by the thought of an essay. Our text tells us to keep a positive attitude. I do not want to have a self-fulfilled prophecy of failure. For the most part my thoughts are upbeat about the process involved in writing an essay. In the past, from what I can recall, I began with an outline. When creating the outline I would decide what would be written about and how to put it all together.
From the outline I would write a rough draft. When reading my completed rough draft I would edit my paper. Usually I would find grammar and spelling mistakes as well as a better way to link my ideas. After editing, I would revise my paper to the final draft and submit my work.
All of the writing I have done has been handwritten. I have not had an opportunity or a need to write anything on a computer, except a resume. I will be introduced to a new concept when typing my thoughts and having the advantage of spell check and grammar help from the computer program. I am looking forward to this.

Amber's view about Roy Hoffman's Journal Essay

This essay talks about the author and his experience of keeping a journal during college. He then goes on to reflect on the journal years later. He finds that he has forgotten a lot about his college years.
I found it almost strange that a person would walk around with a little notebook and watch people and then just scribble away. My comment seemed to not go over well with people who spent a lot of time on a college campus. Evidently, this is a common thing on campus. These people have obviously never had the delightful feeling of being stalked. So, I would suppose when they see someone with a little note pad scribbling away, they assume that wow this person is trying to better themselves by keeping a journal. My first thought is I hope this guy does not try to follow me home.
This essay also talks about what it was like for the author when he would use his journal as a canvas to paint pictures in his on to the paper. His words were describing everything from the way the campus looked to the way the place sounded. He was able to remember things he did not even remember he had forgotten.
Going back he realized how much he had grown as a person, so this younger college version seemed to be almost a child. He thought at the time he was so grown up and knew so much, but like most young he was very ignorant to the idea of being a true adult.
He also discussed the issue of how vulnerable a journal can make you, a journal, of course, are so many thoughts and feelings about yourself. You can become naked in a sense to anyone who would read it. Then if you reflect back to it, you might not have those same feelings at all, but since you wrote it, people will probably assume you have carried on the same feelings and ideas throughout your life. Though as you grow and experience more things in life, you tend to look at life completely or at least partially different.