Why and How Men Should Journal in This Social Media Era (A Call for Submissions)

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As a lifetime advocate of journaling, I’m increasingly curious about people’s experiences of personal writing in the digital age. We seem to have come from a time in which keeping a diary was done largely for our own reflection and self-understanding. We may have added photographs, sketches, and heartfelt poetry, but these pages were our personal treasure to be shared sparingly, with only the right people at the right time. We may have left instructions for our personal jottings to be kept or destroyed after our demise.

We also may have been the surviving heir who wondered what to do with the journals of our deceased loved one.

Now, between selfies and snaps of this morning’s breakfast, our social networks are jammed with the intimate and not so intimate details of everyday life. Today, it seems that our personal creations are aimed at being seen, and hopefully liked by others, though, in some cases, they can also be a form of warfare between trolls and their victims or attempts at political persuasion. They can be the lies that we live or want others to live by.

Are these social media posts seen as a substitute for keeping a diary, or do we consider them something quite different? Why do we do them? Is their maintenance a matter of delusion or deliberate intention?

I would love to read of the experiences that you are having or have had with personal writing, where you are with it today if you are still active, as well as about what others of your acquaintance, of any age, may have shared with you. Do we write or dictate? Do we still take pen and crayons in hand for imaging our everyday experience, or perhaps documenting special events, travels, projects, etc., from our point of view and our feelings about them attempting to be objective observers of our subjective experience?

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We want to read your point of view. When you’re ready to submit, click one of the colorful boxes, below. What did you learn from it all that you can share with other readers? (Be sure to include your “AHA!” moment!)

◊♦◊The Good Men Project is different from most media companies. We are a “participatory media company”—which means we don’t just have content you read and share and comment on but it means we have multiple ways you can actively be a part of the conversation. As you become a deeper part of the conversation—The Conversation No One Else is Having—you will learn all of the ways we support our Writers’ Community—community FB groups, weekly conference calls, classes in writing, editing platform building and How to Create Social Change.

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Here are more ways to become a part of The Good Men Project community:

Request to join our private Facebook Group for Writers—it’s like our virtual newsroom where you connect with editors and other writers about issues and ideas.

Click here to become a Premium Member of The Good Men Project Community. Have access to these benefits:

1. Get  access to an exclusive “Members Only” Group on Facebook
2. Join our Social Interest Groups—weekly calls about topics of interest in today’s world
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4. Get free access to classes, workshops, and exclusive events
5. Be invited to an exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” with other Premium Members
6. Commenting badge.

Are you stuck on what to write? Sign up for our Writing Prompts emails, you’ll get ideas directly from our editors every Monday and Thursday. If you already have a final draft, then click below to send your post through our submission system.

If you are already working with an editor at GMP, please be sure to name that person. If you are not currently working with a GMP editor, one will be assigned to you.

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Are you a first-time contributor to The Good Men Project? Submit here:

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Have you contributed before and have a Submittable account? Use our Quick Submit link here:

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Do you have previously published work that you would like to syndicate on The Good Men Project? Click here:

Join our exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” — where community members are encouraged to discuss the issues of the week, get story ideas, meet other members and get known for their ideas? To get the call-in information, either join as a member or wait until you get a post published with us. Here are some examples of what we talk about on the calls.

Want to learn practical skills about how to be a better Writer, Editor or Platform Builder? Want to be a Rising Star in Media? Want to learn how to Create Social Change? We have classes in all of those areas.

While you’re at it, get connected with our social media:

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However, you engage with The Good Men Project—you can help lead this conversation about the changing roles of men in the 21st century. Join us!

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We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.

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