"I kept a lot of notebooks through high school and college, and then when I left school, for some dumb reason—maybe it was wise—I threw them all away..."
Thank you for sharing. I'm mildly obsessed with Jim Morrison and the visionary creatives of his ilk. Having spent much of my life with musicians, I've seen the same type of struggles; to understand their own hearts and minds, to rage against the boundaries, all underpinned by an absolute need to create which is as undeniable as breathing. It fascinates me endlessly.
So beautifully put, Belinda! I'm also fascinated by that type. And people like Morrison (and Kurt Cobain too) produce such a fascinating notes in the process.
Believe it or not, I just learned who Jim Morrison was this year. I knew of The Doors, but had never actively listened to their music.
One day at work (I’m a library assistant), someone returned The Collected Works of Jim Morrison and upon flipping through this coffee table book with a stunning portrait on the cover, I decided I needed to check it out for myself.
The book contains text and photo copies of his poetry, journals, transcripts, lyrics, and a film treatment for The Hitchhiker. I thought, “what a record of a person’s existence.” I love that this is how I was introduced to him and that I’ve had a chance to experience him first through the lens of his written works rather than his music.
I’ll always a tender spot for Morrison ♥️ He could neither escape his genius, fame nor addiction... somehow the three seemed so intrinsically linked in his life.
More than a twinge of sadness ... a light that burned bright but was extinguished too early. Imagine what he would have been thinking and writing in his 30s, 40s and 50s. Fascinating insights, thank you.
He's on my list with Hendrix and Prince as folk I would love to have been around for longer ... so curious about what they would have given us all with their creativity
Thank you for reaching into those actual notes Jim used to knock that door open to new expression. Jim just let it loose, in all things… sad to be consumed by your own success. Thinking again perhaps the only way to create a true legend.
I am sorry they did that. “When he graduated from high school, he asked his parents for the collected edition of Nietzsche’s works.” Reading philosophy is fine, but kids need a wider range than that--Plato, Aristotle, and on to Voltaire and beyond.
Absolutely fascinating read; the context this article adds to Morrison's life is both haunting and inspiring. I take particular interest in the sloppy quality of his notes; they were so carefree and non-linear. It makes me ease my own strict expectations of the notetaking format I use. Maybe it's okay to loosen up a little bit; to forget about structure every once in a while. I only wish he could have found the garden he was looking for.
I have a spanish edition of a few poems: the lords, celebration, an american prayer... I love his poetry, his words, and I never seen his notesbooks. They are great. Thanks for writing about these and sharing it! I saved the post for my collection :)
The ongoing debate of whether to keep them or throw them away. My mother passed away several years ago, and after spending a week weeding through all of my parents paperwork, and photos, we decided to get rid of her journals because they were mostly filled with medical/hospital information for my father. I have great regrets, because knowing my mother, I am sure there were several little bite sized paragraphs that I would give my right arm to have with me today. Because of this, I am keeping mine & will leave my children to decide what to do with them. Journals are powerful & magical … I don’t think I will ever through another journal away!
I go through this debate as well because I don't have a lot of space in my apartment. But, at some point, I decided I'd throw out printed books and clothes before I'd throw out a notebook. The older I get, the more pressing this issue becomes.
I totally get it! I am fortunate that the house we live in has bookshelves built in everywhere, so I tend to fill them up...wondering if my children will hate me for this or appreciate it years down the road...who knows!! We should surround ourselves with things that bring us joy and contentment, and I too would throw out clothes before my journals!! priorities, right??? Have a great rest of your Monday!
The last poem shared here from the Paris Journal is so poignant. What a brilliant, creative sprit. Morrison's lack of concern about which notebook he used is a liberating concept. My brain tends to prefer the opposite, which can really stifle creativity. "Let me just get this brilliant idea down!...Now, where the hell did I put that notebook?"
Thanks for the time and research on this one, Jillian. Much appreciated!
Thanks, Elizabeth. I also need a reminder not to be so precious about my notebooks. I'm such a perfectionist, it's helpful to remember that notebooks are not the place for perfection.
What an INTRO! As someone born a Morrison (since hyphenated) that also loves notebooks, this was special. I have never been into The Doors, and don’t consider myself or want to be a poet, but I am also rarely without my notebook.
Thank you for sharing. I'm mildly obsessed with Jim Morrison and the visionary creatives of his ilk. Having spent much of my life with musicians, I've seen the same type of struggles; to understand their own hearts and minds, to rage against the boundaries, all underpinned by an absolute need to create which is as undeniable as breathing. It fascinates me endlessly.
So beautifully put, Belinda! I'm also fascinated by that type. And people like Morrison (and Kurt Cobain too) produce such a fascinating notes in the process.
Believe it or not, I just learned who Jim Morrison was this year. I knew of The Doors, but had never actively listened to their music.
One day at work (I’m a library assistant), someone returned The Collected Works of Jim Morrison and upon flipping through this coffee table book with a stunning portrait on the cover, I decided I needed to check it out for myself.
The book contains text and photo copies of his poetry, journals, transcripts, lyrics, and a film treatment for The Hitchhiker. I thought, “what a record of a person’s existence.” I love that this is how I was introduced to him and that I’ve had a chance to experience him first through the lens of his written works rather than his music.
Thanks for sharing and reminding me of this!
My father is a Doors fan, so I grew up listening to their music. The collected works is such a great introduction to the richness of Morrison's mind.
Love the snippet about how he created a story around a new word in his notebooks. I burned some notebooks in Anger as well. I can relate.
Ha! you're in good company! I kind of wish I had burned some of my notebooks.
Burning notebooks is a great title
for a post... just saying. I’d read that for sure.
I loved this as well! How wonderful.
Jillian,
This one put me over the edge. If jim Morrison could keep a notebook, I can too!
Meaning that although he was a genius in his own right, he was young, addicted, and a free spirit. So if he had the discipline, then so can I.
You can, David! I have no doubt!
I’ll always a tender spot for Morrison ♥️ He could neither escape his genius, fame nor addiction... somehow the three seemed so intrinsically linked in his life.
Right?! Such a tragic hero.
For a rock n roll star, Jim Morrison was surprisingly intellectual and well-read. Good article!
More than a twinge of sadness ... a light that burned bright but was extinguished too early. Imagine what he would have been thinking and writing in his 30s, 40s and 50s. Fascinating insights, thank you.
It's so strange to think of Morrison as an old man!
He's on my list with Hendrix and Prince as folk I would love to have been around for longer ... so curious about what they would have given us all with their creativity
Thank you for reaching into those actual notes Jim used to knock that door open to new expression. Jim just let it loose, in all things… sad to be consumed by your own success. Thinking again perhaps the only way to create a true legend.
Love your description of Jim!
Jim was certainly a gem and a freak. Reminds me of me;) Thank you for the sweet compliment
I am sorry they did that. “When he graduated from high school, he asked his parents for the collected edition of Nietzsche’s works.” Reading philosophy is fine, but kids need a wider range than that--Plato, Aristotle, and on to Voltaire and beyond.
Nietzsche's wonderful, but I agree, there's much more to philosophy.
Absolutely fascinating read; the context this article adds to Morrison's life is both haunting and inspiring. I take particular interest in the sloppy quality of his notes; they were so carefree and non-linear. It makes me ease my own strict expectations of the notetaking format I use. Maybe it's okay to loosen up a little bit; to forget about structure every once in a while. I only wish he could have found the garden he was looking for.
I love researching messy notes because it gives me permission to be (a little bit) messy.
And, yes, Morrison's is a sad story. But there's so much beauty in it.
I have a spanish edition of a few poems: the lords, celebration, an american prayer... I love his poetry, his words, and I never seen his notesbooks. They are great. Thanks for writing about these and sharing it! I saved the post for my collection :)
Wonderful! So happy to have been able to share this with you Marc.
The ongoing debate of whether to keep them or throw them away. My mother passed away several years ago, and after spending a week weeding through all of my parents paperwork, and photos, we decided to get rid of her journals because they were mostly filled with medical/hospital information for my father. I have great regrets, because knowing my mother, I am sure there were several little bite sized paragraphs that I would give my right arm to have with me today. Because of this, I am keeping mine & will leave my children to decide what to do with them. Journals are powerful & magical … I don’t think I will ever through another journal away!
I go through this debate as well because I don't have a lot of space in my apartment. But, at some point, I decided I'd throw out printed books and clothes before I'd throw out a notebook. The older I get, the more pressing this issue becomes.
I totally get it! I am fortunate that the house we live in has bookshelves built in everywhere, so I tend to fill them up...wondering if my children will hate me for this or appreciate it years down the road...who knows!! We should surround ourselves with things that bring us joy and contentment, and I too would throw out clothes before my journals!! priorities, right??? Have a great rest of your Monday!
The last poem shared here from the Paris Journal is so poignant. What a brilliant, creative sprit. Morrison's lack of concern about which notebook he used is a liberating concept. My brain tends to prefer the opposite, which can really stifle creativity. "Let me just get this brilliant idea down!...Now, where the hell did I put that notebook?"
Thanks for the time and research on this one, Jillian. Much appreciated!
Thanks, Elizabeth. I also need a reminder not to be so precious about my notebooks. I'm such a perfectionist, it's helpful to remember that notebooks are not the place for perfection.
The Doors were one of my most favorite bands, 'Touch Me' still being my favorite song.
It's such a good song! I listened to it on repeat while writing this post.
A paean to auto-didactic originality
I have a soft spot of auto-didacts!
What an INTRO! As someone born a Morrison (since hyphenated) that also loves notebooks, this was special. I have never been into The Doors, and don’t consider myself or want to be a poet, but I am also rarely without my notebook.
I love that we're all connected through our notebooks!