Congratulations to Mark Segal who is our IAJW Member of the Month for March 2026!
A message from Lynda Monk, Director, IAJW.org
Mark Segal is being acknowledged as our IAJW Member of the Month for his consistent and engaging presence in our journaling community. Mark is one of the few men in our community who shows up consistently to our monthly member events. By the way, we would love more men to join us! Mark brings an open mind to our journaling gatherings and he participates wholeheartedly in every member event that he attends. I always feel and appreciate his presence when he is with us. He also is a positive voice behind the scenes too! I always feel encouraged by the lovely notes of gratitude and acknowledgement that he often sends my way. Last month, he said our Writing Alone Together Circle, and the theme for it, Going Gently, was the best IAJW event he attended.
A note to Mark…
Mark, it is one thing to join a community, it is another thing to show up and participate in ways that enrich the experience for everyone. You are someone who does that! I see and appreciate YOU amazing journal writer. 😊 Congratulations on being our IAJW Member of the Month!
Get to know more about Mark in his Member of the Month Interview…
Where do you live?
Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, USA
Why did you join the IAJW?
Originally after “publishing” my formatted writing books, I was looking for an audience for them. I was looking for people who might be interested in purchasing them. So I started reaching out into the Journaling sphere. What I found was not so much an audience, because honestly there is not much opportunity to really “push” the books and it doesn’t seem appropriate, but a community, a wonderful, welcoming, supportive community that has a lot to offer. I also found you and even though I am not big on prompts, I found what you did to be inspiring and revelatory. And you made it possible for me to join.
What do you like best about journal writing?
I am a morning writer and have been doing it pretty much (off and on) since the 80’s. Working out problems, venting anger(s) working on shows or ideas, etc. It was always a companion. Sketch books, journals etc. When Covid destroyed my career, I started writing every day (maybe even a bit before that) and have not stopped. It became vital when I had a realization. I had always lived a creative life, I played shows anywhere between 2-4 a day, every week day. I lived in my show. When they were gone who was I? What was I? My identity and raison’d’etre was gone. Then one day while writing, I realized that this was my creative place now. I would have to look it up to give more details.
Journaling is a journey in progress. Always a challenge.
What is one journal writing tip (or advice) you would like to share?
To be honest, I don’t do this, but have. (I just write without form or reason, often surprised by where it leads). BUT the tip is:
Address your entry to someone or something. When I would do it, I’d address my sub consciousness. When writing a letter, words flow differently, you are trying to communicate something to somebody or something.
What is one of your favourite books on journal writing or creative inspiration?
I don’t believe that I have ever read a book about journaling, I just do it, trying to find what works for me. I have read, (long ago), books on creativity, creative thinking, puppetry, and now Jewish philosophy which deeply colors my view.
My one abiding rule when doing Puppets and now with Journaling is “if it works it is right, if it doesn’t work, try it another way.”
What is one thing you would like us to know about you?
I studied acting (B.U. School of Fine and Applied Arts) – in 1977 started my Puppet Theatre, which lasted until 2020. Never had any other job, it is all I did. Did not travel much, was not too adventurous, just worked. 🙂 Was a medium size fish in a very small pond sometimes playing for over 40,000 people a year. Had my shots at National recognition back in the 90’s but that didn’t work out. I was able to raise a family, 4 children – 3 step and one biological. And now am old. 🙂
My favourite part of being an IAJW member is…
I really like your guided journaling zoom sessions. Those are the most important to me.
All the other stuff is a bit beyond me and anyway I don’t pay enough concentrated attention to it all. I would like to take advantage of some of the workshops and courses offered but they are far above me financially. (I did receive a scholarship for a course which helps).
Anything else you might like to share…
I deeply believe in what I am trying to do now, and wish people would give “my method” of journal management a try.
Author: Mark S Segal is a valued member of the IAJW global journaling community and a regular journal writer. He is the creator of the Right Journal Project. He has created a guide that shares how to use his journals and it offers lots of good information about journaling. It also strives to encourage people to journal and he has generously offered 50% off this guide to IAJW members. You can access this here >>
Leave Mark a comment and congratulate him on being our IAJW Member of the Month. Also feel welcome to tell him: “Hello amazing journal writer, I see you!”
Our journaling community is a place for journal writers to belong. We matter to each other!
“Congratulations Mark! So interesting to learn that you were a career puppeteer for so many years … hey, that rhymes 😄 ” Martha Goff, fellow IAJW Member
Hi, Mark!
Writing to someone, importance of addressing is what I value most, and always encourage my students to do. What are you doing – Writing. – Whom are You writing?
“Just writing” seems a loose idea to me, born in literary family of translators and writers. If I “just write”, then I usually act some Writer, and, please, publish me and pay me, because I do it good.
Except this I had no motivation to write or journal, but I wrote hundreds or thousands letters, then – emails, irritating some, especially Germans, who are used to attach letter to the email, and in the body of the email write only short info.
Congratulations Mark. People inspire us in many different ways and I find your words inspiring. I do use your journal approach as I have experimented with different approaches. Addressing my entry to someone has definitely led to revelation in my writing. I have recently recommended it to a friend to help her explore childhood memories.
Thank you for these wonderful comments! Martha, I always enjoy what you have to share at a journaling circle, to me you are kind of boss! :) <- am actually kind of laughing at that !
Thomas, I am grateful to have now had a couple of communications with you thank you for getting a guide and embracing the method.
Nigel, Thank you for that comment, I find it interesting at how many childhood memories do pop up in my stream of consciousness writing.
Sincerely hope at some point to be able to meet you both at one of Lynda's journaling circles, so I am not the only thorn amongst so many roses!
It’s wonderful reading these comments, thanks everyone!
Hi Mark,
I’m so glad your male self is among us roses. We need your perspective too!
I’m inspired by your authenticity at our meetings, and also for being able to care for a large family through puppeteering. Who knew there was a full-time need for decades in that line of work as an independent contractor, or so I assume. I’m so sorry you had to let go of that due to Covid. A loss for many.
Mark,
It is always great to have “male energy” in these largely lady spaces, so thank you for your courage to show up and participate. I enjoyed learning about you in this interview. What an interesting life you’ve had – a puppeteer seems like a long, lost art, and I am glad to know that you held children and adults captive in your storytelling! Thank you for sharing!