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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

book giveaway: write to the centre

Book giveaway
Hello! I hope you're having a nice weekend. Mine has been filled with cosy activities so far – a family movie night, coffee with friends, Fabricabrac and a day spent drinking tea and chatting by the fire with Constança. Couldn't ask for a nicer weekend, really!

I also have a giveaway, thanks to Helen Lehndorf, poet and author.

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Write to the Centre is an inspiring book about keeping a journal and how this can enrich our creative lives. It's beautifully illustrated, thoughtful and encouraging and will have you buying a blank notebook, pen and fresh glue-stick immediately.

You can read more about this special book, along with a recent interview I did with Helen here.

Helen has kindly offered up a copy to send to one of my readers. I'll wrap it up with a few extra journal-related treats and post it to a randomly-selected winner anywhere in the world.

To enter, please leave a comment below, explaining whether you keep a journal/diary/scrapbook or not, and why.

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59 responses to “book giveaway: write to the centre”

  1. Jax Avatar
    Jax

    I have numerous journals all of which I try and write in. What I find though is that I only write in them when something in particular is happening … what I’d like to do is write in them anytime. Helen’s book looks brilliant – thanks for the opportunity to win it.

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  2. Clare Avatar
    Clare

    I currently do not, but I was just thinking today whether it would help me at the moment. Our family has had a run of illness and injuries and other challenges, and I’ve been wondering if writing it down would help. Looks like a beautiful book x

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  3. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    I am a very intermittent journaller looking for inspiration. Travel sometimes inspires me to start again but lately life has been busy and the muse is visiting elsewhere…So a helping hand would be very welcome, should I be the lucky winner! In any case, just talking about it again is a good start.

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  4. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I buy blank journals and then get stuck and don’t feel creative enough to put anything in them…I need help.

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  5. Jessica g Avatar
    Jessica g

    The book looks lovely. I don’t journal at this point in my life – 3 young children, but I would love to be re inspired!

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  6. Noni Avatar
    Noni

    I’m older and regret that I haven’t kept a journal or diary despite being given many beautiful books to write in. So many things have gone into the deep memory – both joyful and sad – only coming to mind when something pokes the memory banks.
    Now I have decided to write for my grandchildren, dredging up incidents from my past is a really random process as one thing leads to another and I find it hard to stick to one path.
    My daughter used to keep a journal with sketches and “bits” stuck in, which I found appealing. I’d love to get her back to that (and perhaps to emulate it) and hopefully the book would help us both.

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  7. Lisa Saxton Avatar
    Lisa Saxton

    I keep a bullet journal. I list things I want to remember such as books to read, places to visit, things to make etc. I then try to tick them off when I do them. This encourages me to actually do the things I enjoy, rather than just getting caught up in the stresses of life.

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  8. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I have a bunch of different books on the go at any given time…a sketchbook, a scrapbook for collecting inspiring images, an on-again-off-again journal, a book for keeping song ideas and one to jot down notes for work. I’ve got a shelf of them and a suitcase full under my bed!

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  9. Jemma Avatar
    Jemma

    Keeping a journal has been a great way for me to practice telling my truth – both to myself and, when needed, to others. I like journals without lines best! In a season where time for my creative practice is constrained by two part-time jobs and a thesis, my journal feels like a space that is contained. I would love to have some prompts for using that space in different ways.

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  10. sally Avatar
    sally

    Hi Melissa. I’ve attempted many times over the years to keep a journal.I always stop because I can never decide whether to write in the first person or the third person. Plus even though I imagine I can write quite well, it usually comes out sounding like I am a toff from the 1900s or just way too woffly with too many commas. Gah.

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  11. Lou Avatar
    Lou

    Hi Melissa, this book sounds amazing. I kept written journals as a teenager, and have recently returned to journalling as my studies now require me to keep one. I’m often a bit stuck for creative techniques to use, and would love some ideas from Helen…

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  12. Marta Avatar
    Marta

    At the moment I am not keeping a journal, but I am planning to start my creative journal soon. It might help me to organize my life and stick to the main projects.

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  13. Uylond Avatar
    Uylond

    I journal every day and feel lost if I miss an entry. I also keep travel journals.
    I love to embellish my entries. I would love to win a copy of your book for more inspiration.

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  14. michelle Avatar
    michelle

    I haven’t for a long while but I was actually thinking this would be great for my teen daughter, who uses creative writing and drawing as a way to deal with anxiety issues

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  15. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    Hi Melissa – I keep a journal of sorts that’s a mixture of quotes, my thoughts, goals & aspirations, poems, & holiday souvenirs. A real mixture but special to me.

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  16. Susan Hemann Avatar
    Susan Hemann

    what a nice gift! I keep several journals, one for my writing, an experimental art journal and a personal journal

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  17. Carolyn O'Brien Avatar
    Carolyn O’Brien

    I absolutely love to journal and my books are mostly those that I make myself. My favorite are junk journals made from recycled papers, mail, cards and whatever treasures I have at the moment.

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  18. Christy Avatar
    Christy

    I do keep a diary, but journaling is something I want to do more, with lots of personal touches and scraps from everyday life. Such a lovely gift.

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  19. Kristina Avatar
    Kristina

    I have lots of empty journals but have such a hard time filling the pages. Nothing ever seems right – I put way to much pressure on myself. I have been to a writing group off and on the past year and its been wonderful having inspiring writing prompts. I would love to have some inspiration at home. This looks like a delightful book.

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  20. Kathleen Avatar
    Kathleen

    I do not currently keep a journal regularly, but have been trying to keep one. I think having the inspiration of this book would help. I also know my youngest daughter would love to read it as she journals and would enjoy the added creativity suggested in this book.

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  21. Sharon Stroud Avatar
    Sharon Stroud

    I love the idea of a journal–but hesitate to start. It’s always interesting to see what others are doing. Thank you to you and Helen for this opportunity.
    Love your blog and am always glad to see a new post.

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  22. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    thank you for promoting this book, Melissa. It looks very interesting although I doubt a Danish bookstore will have it … oh well one can’t have everything … Enjoy your weekend with your family & friends .. c ya

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  23. Mousy Brown Avatar
    Mousy Brown

    I find journaling a perfect way to introduce creativity into my day without needing lots of time and space…it has become a daily touchstone that allows me to record a snapshot of what has been important in my day and I hope it will be a lovely reminder in the future when I want to remember back…thank you for an opportunity to win a copy of this book…I checked it out online when you mentioned it before and I can’t get a copy here…I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

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  24. Yolande Avatar
    Yolande

    I keep a journal, though health has sidelined me from writing recently. I am just reviving my journaling- visual and poetics. Long time reader of your blog, love it!

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  25. Colleen Avatar
    Colleen

    This book is right up my alley! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  26. Daffodil Angel Avatar
    Daffodil Angel

    Hi Melissa, I don’t keep a journal but do keep notes in a book re my crating endeavours. However I like the idea of bullet journaling. This book looks like a great starting place to get going. Happy weekend to you. J

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  27. Adrienne Avatar
    Adrienne

    I kept a diary when I was about 13-14 yrs old. My mother found and read it, and wanted to know why there were 3 stars next to a boys name. I had rated his kiss as extremely good I was mortified and I never kept a journal/diary after that. LOL!
    A friend has given me a beautiful journal but I don’t want to spoil it as I don’t quite know how to begin. Thank you for the opportunity to be in the draw.

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  28. Nicola Easthope Avatar
    Nicola Easthope

    Kia ora, I have boxes of diaries, journals and letters from friends that I began filling and collecting from the age of 13. I am now 49, so that’s a few years of moving and storage and making sure they don’t get water- and mould-damaged! My partner insists I scan them all… how long would that take?! Occasionally, I like to fish one out and turn to the date of the present day to see what I was up to and what dramatic cocktail of emotions (or boredom) I was processing back in ’84. Or partially sprouted ideas for later creative attention in poem form. I only write in my journal on holidays now – so busy full-time teaching. I would love to win this book to re-inspire me during term-time, but primarily to share with my 10-year old and my teen students, who would really benefit from Helen’s generous sharing – encouraging their creative spark, and maybe also soothing their anxieties in the process.

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  29. Karen Crook Avatar
    Karen Crook

    Words have always been important to me. Writing is how I make sense of the world. But in recent years electronic communication has taken over from the tactile and soulful act of pen to paper…. I must get back there….

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  30. Meg Avatar
    Meg

    I have a journal of sorts that I write in sporadically, when there’s enough quietness, when I feel like I want to keep a memory, when I have found something beautiful. I collect little things, pieces like tiny feathers or flowers or ribbon and such, and lay them in too. Meg:)

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  31. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    I have always kept a journal from a very young age. My childhood home was a bit stressful at times and my parents were not in touch with there emotions or willing to talk. I had lots of feelings, questions, just things to say and my journals were where I found relief. As I got older I found that I could work through problems much better when I wrote them on paper. Now that I’m married with children I still journal. My husband didn’t get it at first, but now when pretty notebooks are on sale he walks in with a whole stack for me. : ) I would absolutely love to when this book.

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  32. Samantha Hall Avatar
    Samantha Hall

    I’ve journaled since I was in my teens but am having a hard time making the switch to including images. I’ve been following her work for a while and would love to see her book. I looked at ordering her book but the cost is prohibitive to US.

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  33. rachel @ tea with lucy Avatar
    rachel @ tea with lucy

    Hello Melissa! I’ve recently discovered how wonderful journaling is for getting stuff down on paper and out of my head. Great for shifting thoughts and ideas that have been stuck on a repeat loop in my mind so that I can move forward. Cheap and effective therapy! Warm regards, Rachel xo

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  34. pneu Avatar
    pneu

    My bullet journal helps me mark the passing days–sometimes I’ll only have a task or two in an entry, but I can also note curious happenings, fool around with watercolours and fancy lettering, or glue in bits of ephemera. After years of starting and abandoning journals, this is working quite well. It helps that keeping lists is my jam.
    Thank you very much for hosting this giveaway.

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  35. Kristen Avatar
    Kristen

    I don’t journal now but would love to! I’m looking for a way to be creative and savor each mix Ute with my little ones!

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  36. Begoña Avatar
    Begoña

    Hola Melissa! gracias por tu inspiración!Yo intento llevar un diario,un poco mínimo,en estos momentos,pero me ayuda a relativizar la vida y los problemas y a celebrar y agradecer las alegrías!un abrazo desde España!

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  37. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    Been wanting to do a visionboard and various collage projects for years. Maybe this is a better way to approach it? Having lovely cosy weekind too.

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  38. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    I would love some inspiration to Journal my journey with my young boys.

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  39. Frau Kirschkernzeit Avatar
    Frau Kirschkernzeit

    This looks interesting. I have stopped journaling in the traditional way when I starte my blog and focus now on simpfle articles about my everyday life and my creative things now and then. I’d love to start a journal again but found out that there’s simply not enough time and energy left to do so. Blogging on the other hand has some kind of… pressure, not a heavy dose of it, no, not at all, but I feel encouraged to sit down at least three times a week to write some words and select some pictures to share and to remember myself what life looks like for me at this time.
    But maybe this book would be the right motivator and inspiration for me to change this habit and start my very personal journal right now…?

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  40. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    I do not write things down because I talk about things and I think deeply. I do share too and sometimes life is horrible and stressful and tumultuous. To be honest I find the thought of journaling my thoughts and emotions a huge embarrassment and potentially very painful. Talking or thoughtful contemplation eases them, while writing captures them for posterity imprisoning my spirit. The written word is a powerful thing with great finality.
    When I speak or even think things through, there is a cleansing and the words are cast out upon the wind and if I have no need to remember then they are forgotten. My life is processed without capturing the negativity and pain, which I couldn’t bear to do. Writing everything down would mean I was left to dwell upon everything and keep going back and back. How painful!
    How terrible to have all those moments captured. I could never look through what I have written without re imagining it all again and reliving the painful times. It is healing to exorcise verbally and for the things to evaporate and for me to move on without being able to read all about things some months hence or even years. It would be awful and stultifying and would feel like an entombment of negativity.
    I wonder why people do journal as it seems a bad thing for me to even contemplate it.
    What I do love to keep note of is anything and everything that interested me during a day, I have little books or pieces of paper crammed full. I think such things when done properly are called a book of days.

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  41. Lina Avatar
    Lina

    Melissa I have started keeping a journal, I got one with a white page next to a lines page, that way I can doodle and write, because only writing feels scary. I would love to win the book for my husband who does his morning pages and his hobby is collage, I think it would be awesome for him, thank you again for your beautiful blog …. oh If i win ( never do) you goodies will be for me! 😉

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  42. Ginny Avatar
    Ginny

    This sounds like an interesting book. I feel I have been a bit stuck creatively this year, so perhaps starting a journal might get me thinking differently.

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  43. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    I keep a journal and have done for many years on and off. I find that getting it all out on paper is pretty theraputic and also more personal to read. I’d like to get more creative with it though!

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  44. Jane Macdonald Avatar
    Jane Macdonald

    I have a journal for work, for my soul, for fabric and a small one I keep in my purse, just in case. I find myself stumped sometimes: which journal does this go into? What if I write it in the wrong one? Why do I have multiple journals? Am I going crazy? That sort of thing 😀 Writing and making – ways I pursue to try to find a Way In and ultimately, a Way Out again, into this beautiful world. thank you for this opportunity, and also for your moments of embroidered beauty Melissa.

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  45. Mary Gordon Avatar
    Mary Gordon

    I don’t keep a journal – a regular pilgrimage up and down a steep Wellington hills has been my metaphor for navigating life lately. I would however love to be inspired by this book and use it to tap into creativity and joy as I journey along the middle years. Thanks!

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  46. Laura S Avatar
    Laura S

    That is so fun! I have not kept one very well over the years, one year I kept up pretty well and absolutely enjoyed it and I would love to get back to it!

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  47. Christina Crooks-Holland Avatar
    Christina Crooks-Holland

    I journal to help define what I really love, what really matters, and gratitude…gratitude lists are my favorite 🙂

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  48. mar Avatar
    mar

    I’ve been writing a journal for many years.
    It helps me to identify my thoughts and feelings and understand them. I also like to include inspirational quotes and a kind of doodles. And in my little agenda I write everyday something positive that has happened each day.
    Would love to have this book!!Thanks for the chance
    xxx-mar

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  49. Nicky Gray Avatar
    Nicky Gray

    I am a journal novice. Im also a knitter, and I keep a type of journal to document my knitting projects. I have a diary, which is so helpful,and I so admire the beautiful journals I see on Pintrest and F/B sites.

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  50. Melissa R Avatar
    Melissa R

    I don’t keep a journal, but my mom has for most of her adult life. I think it’s in her will that her children will not read them, but that the next generation can. I think this book is a unique approach and I am very interested!

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