Yes you should just write-we all have are own voice and we need to let it speak-write it down-we have to love our own voice/words-utterances of the heart/Mind-just write with purity of intention-have a blessed New Year-peace

Developing an authentic voice as opposed to just getting the details down: that's going to be the place to grow.

Oh, M Train has been on my to-read list for a while. It's getting bumped up :)
I love Mary Karr, too.
I'm trying to make some kind of comittment to do more journalling/visual journalling. I just bought more art supplies :P

I was hesitant about the Mary Karr book, but your interest encourages me.

What sort of art supplies?

*reflects* I am so glad that i can use Lightroom instead of having to have a darkroom to work in with photography.

I haven't read that book, but Carr's "The Liars Club" was very good, if horrifying (her childhood).

I got some more Golden liquid acrylics, which I use for paper marbling (huge mess, very frustrating, but when I get good results I love it.) I also got a few more Inktense pencils (really great watercolor pencils). And I got a new fountain pen in the mail. I've spent more on art supplies than food lately, but that's OK. I went to Raleigh in the drizzle to Jerry's Artarama, but their prices and selection are not the same as online, and I probably spent in gas what shipping might cost, so not really worth the drive unless I really need to see something in person or don't want to wait. They have much more than the big-box craft stores at least.

OK, now I've written much more in your comments than in my own journal. Why do I find it harder to write about the small details of my life to LJ at large than to one person?

Is this not the point of writing prompts and "ask me anything"? Now that i'm not processing so much stuff (except the Elephant in the room stuff, which is primarily Christine's struggle), i don't *have* to write as much as i used to. There's both too much to write and nothing really pressing. What is impressing me about M Train is the tiny details of the immediate and prosaic that get folded in with the memories.

I think it's harder than it looks!

I do love Golden acrylics, but i haven't used them in ages. A friend gave me several adult coloring books: that didn't seem like a good base for acrylics, so i'm using a gouache set i got even longer ages ago. I am dreaming of studio space where things don't have to be stashed away in hard to reach places just so one can move around. Some of the houses that i look at on Zillow have huge unfinished basements. THERE, i think, that is what we need.

I'm journalling more longhand these days. Not sure if it's any more helpful, but it's more colorful.

I have a few of those adult coloring books too, but haven't done much with them. Pencils and markers are better than paint for them. Knitting serves the same function for me in many ways.
Studio space, ah. Even with a whole house to myself (but no garage or basement or attic), I can't seem to figure out space to do everything. Still need better organization. Who needs a living room anyway? :P

Good point on last chance!