Diary writing is generally viewed as a private and uninhibited activity, a stream of consciousness recording personal changes from day to day. However, there does exist a mindful process of selection and structuring of thoughts taking place, even if the writer is not fully aware of it. When Alice James, the youngest sister of the famous Henry the novelist, and William the psychologist, started journaling, she was 40 years old. She was a sick shut-in, suffering from breast cancer and mental illness, who's only company was a nurse and her companion, Katherine Peabody Loring. Like many other...

• Word Count: 2383
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate