About
Diane C. Doyle : Author, Keynote Speaker and Workshop Facilitator
ABOUT
When I was eight my mother cut some notebooks in half, gave them to my six siblings and me and told us to write about our day. My mother’s intention was to provide us with a temporary distraction, but I continued journaling because I quickly learned to love it. I realized that you could be honest in a journal in a way that you sometimes couldn’t, or wouldn’t, in everyday life. On the playground I joined everyone in saying that I hated school but, in my journal, I secretly admitted that I liked it.
Starting my journaling adventure at such a young age has led to boxes of diaries, journals, and notepads containing details of my life that would have otherwise been forgotten. Creative ideas, along with my hopes, dreams and fears, were all shared in confidence on the blank pages. Journaling has continued to be a part of my life for over 30 years.
My journaling practice deepened in 2007 when my father suffered a stroke, which affected the left side of his brain. Journaling helped me cope with the stress of his illness and come to terms with the possibility of losing him. My Dad pulled through, but the right side of his body, and speech capabilities were affected. I became interested in how each side of the brain processed information: the creative, emotional, big-picture functions of the right and the logical, analytical functions of the left. I thought if writing (a left-brained function) helped me sort out my thoughts and feelings, wouldn’t sketching or drawing (a right-brained function) be even more powerful? And what would happen if I did both together?
Having a sketchbook and journal merged together was the answer. My husband was a little puzzled when I came home one day and told him, “I’m going to publish a blank book.” The Sketchajournal design I developed is simple, practical, and portable, with blank and lined pages bound together with a coil spine.
SketchaJournal Workshops
I recognized there was a need for workshops and books to explain the journaling process and the benefits of sketching and journaling together. I wrote How to Journal for Hope and Happiness and designed seven workshops:
The Power of Journaling: an Adventure in Self-Discovery
Journey to the Christian Heart: in 5 Simple Steps
Transitions: Journaling Through Grief, Loss, and Change
Finding Your Life Purpose: Now is the Time
Journaling to Expand Your Creativity
I encourage you take some time to discover the powerful benefits of sketching and journaling together. You will soon notice subtle changes in your thoughts and understanding that will bring peace and balance to your life.
Diane will tailor keynote speeches, workshops, and retreats according to the specific needs of a group. She has conducted workshops for women in addictions, youth in crisis shelters, hospice volunteers, adult continuing education,Catholic School Retreats,Pro D Days for teachers, and Baptist and Catholic Churches in B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan. See Testimonials, ShawTV, Newspaper articles.
Diane currently lives in New Westminster, B.C. with husband Don, daughter Rebeka, and step-daughter Emma.