A heroine in the book Possession by A.S. Byatt, Christabel La Motte, a (fictional) Victorian poet, advised against the keeping of journals or diaries:
If you can order your Thoughts and shape them into Art, good: if you can live in the obligations and affections of Daily Life, good. But do not get into the habit of morbid Self-examination. Nothing so unfits a woman for producing good work, or for living usefully. The Lord will take care of the second of these – opportunities will be found. The first is a matter of Will.
- p. 65
I’ve always wanted to start a journal but somehow couldn’t continue because I can’t bear to read my words if they are meant for myself alone. I’ve done a lot of morbid self-examination, though, especially in my early blogging days. It may not be Art per se, but it’s close. At least it’s what it (the process) aspires to be..