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When nomad artist and free spirit Dan Price began jotting down his musings in the form of whimsical drawings and inspired prose, he hardly could have imagined that his self-published journal-zine, the MOONLIGHT CHRONICLES, would earn him a cult following across the country. Now in its twentieth edition, the MOONLIGHT CHRONICLES has brought Dan's creed of "truth, beauty, and really big sabbaticals from the convention of life" to thousands across the countryWith such a following, Dan figured it was time to collect his offbeat observations into book form in hopes of inspiring other would-be journal writers to take pen, camera, and brush in hand. As Dan is fond of noting "Seems there's tons of empty journal books, but not too many on how to fill 'em up!" In HOW TO MAKE A JOURNAL, Dan answers the call, teaching readers how to tap into those pent-up creative juices and collect their life experiences on paper.
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Indescribably delightful!
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| Review Date: June 4, 2003 |
| Reviewer: Soozie4Him, Chicago suburbs |
| This book was SUCH a fun read! Dan Price's book on keeping a journal is quirky, inspiring, humorous, delightful, and educational! If you haven't kept a journal before, you will really want to start after reading this book! Actually, I doubt that you could read through the whole thing without beginning. I've been journaling pretty steadily for the past 4-5 years or so. One thing I've really wanted to include is more doodling and (attempts at) drawing. I consider myself artistically-challenged, and this book really has encouraged me to give drawing in my journals a try. Some other reviewers have stated that they've read this book in one sitting. I daresay that's POSSIBLE, but I wouldn't WANT to read it in one sitting. It's just so packed with stuff and so good that I wanted to savor it! Scrapbookers would also benefit from reading this book! Take a look at Amazon's great "Look inside" feature to look at this book, then order one for yourself and several for gifts - you won't be sorry! |
Inspiring---Motiviating---A Fun Read----An Easy Read!
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| Review Date: December 4, 2006 |
| Reviewer: christinemm - The Thinking Mother, Connecticut, United States |
This is a small sized book that is entirely handwritten, and those two things make this book inviting. It reads like a journal. Hand drawings and photographs illustrate the author's method of illustrating his own journals. This is not just a book about how to journal but we read actual journal pages from the author.
This book speaks to a person who always felt they should write a journal but were afraid to start.
Price gives encouragement along the way such as using the journal for positive thoughts not just for complaining. Journalists don't have to be professional novelists before they can begin writing about their own life for their own eyes!
The addition of ephemera from the journalists daily lives is encouraged (ticket stubs, random paper clutter from our lives, etc.).
The end of the book features twenty pages of Price's journals which were formerly published in 1991 to 1991, as a small independent zine called 'Moonlight Chronicles'. Later a book by the same title was published (I have not yet read it but want to!)
Previously I thought the only journaling that was done in our modern day was in fancy blank journal books and I assumed they were filled only with text in beautiful script. I have felt inhibited by this in the past, worrying if my handwriting was not perfect, what if I made a spelling error, etc. Other journals with writing prompts with someone else's ideas of what we should be writing further discouraged me from beginning a journal as they often asked me to write about things I could care less about!
I found this little book just the encouragement I needed to start writing a journal with whatever I wanted to say in it. It is alright for the journal to be imperfect.
Price journals in black pen. The journals are not highly adorned nor does a person need to take art classes in order to journal in this style.
If you like this book and crave more, I also recommend the similar and highly encouraging books by Danny Gregory. Gregory's own journal was published as "Everyday Matters". Gregory's second book "The Creative License" further encourages non-artists to draw with pen and to keep their own journal to record their own lives. |
Ready, Set, Create!
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| Review Date: December 22, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Bonnie Burton, San Francisco, CA |
| If you've ever thought of starting a journal but didn't know where to begin you have Dan Price to show you the way. His handwritten book on how to write, document, illustrate and doodle a journal is priceless. He makes it look easy and super fun! I suggest you get this book to help get you excited about journaling! |
A life-transforming book
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| Review Date: September 30, 1999 |
| Reviewer: Danny Gregory, New York City, NY USA |
| d.price's magazine, Moonlight Chronicles, was my introduction to the art of the illustrated journal. He taught me to appreciate the mundane and the small, the simple pleasures that fill every hour of my day. I learned how to stop and just be. Finally, he has written the book that we have all been hankering for, a step-by-step guide, coach and inspiration to creating a rich record of our every day lives. If you've always wished you had kept a diary, regret no more. As the world spins madly by, this pocket sized book shows you how to seize the moment, look it in the face and make it yours for all time. Whether or not you think of yourself as an artist, writer or photographer, he will show you how much more you can do than you ever dreamed. Whether or not you think the life you live is worth capturing, he will show you how fortunate and fascinating you are. See the world anew. You won't regret it. |
Very inspiring!!
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| Review Date: September 20, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Brett Hancock, California USA |
I have been photo journaling for many years now, but have never been very through in writing down all the theings I would have liked to. This book was a real inspiration and encouraged the reader to use the methods, but adapt them to their individual style. He says on one page that he never knew that there were "so many ways to keep a journal". It's a great book and will inspire anyone to begin a journal! The only complaint is that I wish the book had been a little larger in size - I was'nt expecting a small, gift-size- book upon ordering:)
But otherwise fantastic!!!!! |
Entertaining read! Better than a movie!
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| Review Date: December 24, 1999 |
| Reviewer: Barbara Blackwell, San Diego, CA USA |
| This book is a treat, mind candy. The author invites you into his cozy, interesting world while coaching you to begin a journal. It's full of tips, hints and advice on creating a meaningful collection of your thoughts on life's daily adventures. It's a *one sit* read - you won't put it down until you are done. I read mine at the bookstore and couldn't help but purchase a journal for myself and friend. This book DEMANDS gift status! Loved it. I'd give it 6 stars if you'd let me. |
Great Book
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| Review Date: June 10, 2002 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I loved all of Dan Price's Moonlight Chronicles over the years. I am so happy that his works have been published for the masses to see. This particular book is fantastic at getting the creative juices flowing. This book gives you plenty of ideas and makes it easy to start your own journal. I hope that Dan some day compiles all the Moonlight Chronicle series into one huge volume. I would deinitely buy it! |
Bravo. A great little read - full of insight, fun and
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| Review Date: November 14, 1999 |
| Reviewer: R L, Knoxville, TN USA |
| For the long-time journal keeper as well as the beginner, Price's book was packed with info on how to make those memories kept on paper more informative, enlightening and enjoyable. I ordered it on Wednesday, received it on Saturday, read it cover-to-cover by noon Sunday, and ordered two more copies (as gifts) on Sunday afternoon. |
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