For many writers, journaling is an essential part of their craft. For example, Joyce Carol Oates kept a journal for many years and she has published some of it. Yet, she not only recommends that all writers keep one, but all people keep one. As she stated on Twitter, where she is active:
Strongly recommend for all persons–not just writers–to keep a detailed journal. It is all that will remain after years. 99% of life lost.Now there is a concept that could compel even the least literate of us to record some of our experiences with the words “99% of life lost” echoing in our heads. From Samuel Johnson to Henry David Thoreau, journaling has been a key part of many successful authors’ lives. But journaling is something that is not just reserved for famous authors, journals can be used in all sorts of interesting ways. Those, who are serious about dreaming and lucid dreaming, recommend that we keep a dream journal which helps us to recall our dreams.