Journal to a Muse

High hopes and Journaling in Denver

Denver-International Originally uploaded by Sultry
I spent a revitalizing, inspiring almost-week in Lakewood Colorado at the Journal Conference 2008: The Power of Writing with 350 like-minded journalers, therapists and writers.

I arrived at dusk and this was the view out of my hotel window. Sunsets with mountains are different than sunsets without.

I spent a fun pre-conference morning with Lucia Capacchione scribbling to music with my non-dominant hand. I didn't learn much new technique, but there were surprising insights.

And I finally learned how SHE pronounces her name: ca-pa-key-OH-neh.

The afternoon was spent with Kate Thompson in a discussion/experience of self-supervision through journaling. I heard of something called Reflective Professional Journaling that I think should be taught to all professionals, regardless of field.

James Pennebaker, the original scientist and measurer of journal writing benefits gave the keynote. He was funny, optimistic and factual as ever.


I enjoyed writing with my newish Lamy pen so much, I got worried I'd run out of ink. After some time at the Sheraton's S-link, I found that the Paradise Pen Company carried the right cartridges. I braved the highways, byways and one-way streets of Denver to get to Tabor Center and an amazing array of writing instruments. Bliss.








Tristine Rainer keynoted an afternoon session, and then I had a seminar with her the following morning. She's written and produced movies, was an academic protege of Anais Nin, wrote The New Diary and Your Life as Story. She also founded the Center for Autobiographical studies. I shouldn't have been surprised that she was older than she looked! She was academic and intelligent AND approachable. I was inspired. I'm looking forward to the memoir of her life with Anais Nin.

I found these two signs adjacent each other while investigating the neighborhood. Anybody else think they should not be in the same vicinity? I guess it makes sense to skate board when there's no snow for snowboarding.


Linda Joy Myers was charming. She came across as warm, genuine and knowledgeable. (She's written books about healing through writing your own story, her memoir about stopping the inter generational pattern of daughter abandonment by mothers and has founded a group for memoir writers. (If you are airing the family laundry, or letting the skeletons out of the closet, it makes sense you'd want a support group!)

I had dinner with my book (Hide by Linda Gardner) at Cafe Bisque. Pricey and divine. I wish they had a location in Dallas.

The geese have right away on a major street. They waddled to the beat of their own drummer, too. Slowly.

Couldn't help but enjoy the skies, clouds and high-plains fauna.
Finished this luscious, giant piece of cake faster than I finished the mystery novel. Both were rich and satisfying.


Thursday evening I attempted to squeeze in two nearly simultaneous events. Tristine's talk and a book signing by Nicky Epstein at Showers of Flowers. The bookstore helper didn't have a great grasp of Denver streets (or right/left or East/West) so I missed her. (Maybe next time I'll ask the car rental company for a GPS system!) But I found the shop Saturday before I left and got a signed copy of her scarf book and some teeny weeny sock needles that I hadn't seen at that good a price at my LYS.
Be sure to read the Sharon's story here.

I also tracked down KnitKnack , which has a cozier feel, but a less overwhelming inventory. (Both owners keep their dogs in their shop, so it felt like home.) At KnitKnack you can have latte or cocoa... which must really be a treat in those Colorado winters.

I was tired and ready to go home. But Denver had one more surprise. Millions (well, 5280) of tiny propellers in the airport tram tunnel. Nobody I asked knew what they were "for."
Turns out they are civic ART.

What a perfect way to end a week focused on personal expression and creativity.