tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589678736004297790.post5271154243365607801..comments2023-10-27T15:05:50.775-04:00Comments on ArchivesInfo: Reaction to Burning the Diariesarchivesinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11173735671172866919noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589678736004297790.post-10474506663799155252011-10-03T19:57:59.610-04:002011-10-03T19:57:59.610-04:00I never kept a diary. I have tried, but never seem...I never kept a diary. I have tried, but never seemed to be consistent. I wrote short memoir-type stories, but then realized I didn't want to "publish" them because of the pain they would cause certain members of my family, so I put them away. I still have them and I honestly don't know what I will do with them, or have the kids do with them when I'm gone, because I think they are too good to destroy. And so I started a blog instead.<br /><br />Yes, Marian, the pain may be best left unwritten, but it is soothing for one's soul to put those words down on paper. And I would like for my children to know what I went through as a child. But I would rather they not share that pain with children of the offender. So maybe it's best if I leave well enough alone.<br /><br />And as far our ancestors, I would give anything to have more letters or a diary or two from a father or great-great-grandmother, wouldn't you?Judith Richards Shuberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499186334451409604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589678736004297790.post-23987071387146795542011-10-03T17:31:53.596-04:002011-10-03T17:31:53.596-04:00We have an interesting discussion going on about t...We have an interesting discussion going on about this on the "Life in Context" Facebook page. if anyone is interested browse to https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifeincontext and see October 3rd postsarchivesinfohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11173735671172866919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589678736004297790.post-12196041432511463132011-10-03T16:00:50.502-04:002011-10-03T16:00:50.502-04:00Wow, a couple thoughts come to mind. I've tho...Wow, a couple thoughts come to mind. I've thought about this topic quite a bit, especially recently.<br /><br />First, many people start writing diaries as children with no ulterior motive other than it seemed like the thing to do or because someone else in their family already one. That was the case with me. I have some diaries from junior high which are now humorous to say the least.<br /><br />Second, we mature as we age both emotionally and intellectually. Suddenly the ramifications of writing diaries takes on a whole knew meaning. I think at this stage, more thoughtful consideration is given to the intention of writing rather than the method.<br /><br />Third, diaries start out as a voice for ourselves that isn't intended to be shared except for perhaps the snooping of siblings. It's the maturing process that makes us realize otherwise. At this point a person might choose to stop writing or perhaps to destroy the diaries as the writer did.<br /><br />Lastly, I went through a conscious discussion with myself about the purpose of writing and keeping a diary. Who is it for and what is it's purpose? I decided that I could write more of a memoir-style diary, the diary of a family historian, who wants the future generations to know us but doesn't need to become overly complex by forcing our ancestors to analyze the subtle nuances of our lives, emotions, passions and dreams.<br /><br />I agree with the writer completely when she says <br /><br />"I write memoirs. And I write about my life in a blog. But as I’m constantly saying to people who wonder how I can reveal so much about myself (especially as, at heart, I am a shy person), I’m not publishing my diaries. I’m not revealing so very much, when I write, that isn’t in all of us. It is kind of like the old saw about having it all. Readers never get it all. They get some of all of it. Everything I write is true. But I don’t write about everything true. I shape, I cut, I feint and dodge; I want to get to something that is uniquely mine, and at the same time ours, too."<br /><br />I completely understand where she is coming from. The ability to write and sound personal and to share but not to share all that which she was willing to burn.<br /><br />I've chosen to leave the pain and emotional truth unwritten and to leave behind an intentional document, whether a diary or a blog, that is the truth, just not too much of it.Marianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738104230962644360noreply@blogger.com