Q1) How many years of life does this journal support?

A1) The Thought of Me Journal allows you to record twenty years of life. However, not everyone will start this journal at age one...so from the time the recipient receives, and then starts writing in it, add an additional twenty years. Of course if you want to use this journal over the course of a lifetime (which we encourage) you can simply order additional copies at any time. Remember orders totaling over $25 on Amazon.com or BN.com receive free shipping!

Q2) Can you explain why 20 years of journaling was selected?

A2) Well remember not everyone will start using this journal at age one; so if the recipient receives and starts at age 15 the journal will last them until age 35. But to answer your question, twenty years is a lot of history and thus very important to preserve. So this method allows you to archive your first 20 years in a safe place before continuing on... 20 years also keeps the journal at a portable size and weight, encouraging you to journal where you're most inspired (i.e. the beach, under a tree, on a long plane ride, etc.). Formal bound journals discourage journaling anywhere except for your home.

So remember to keep your journal in a safe, dry place as your memories are precious. For secure archive a safety deposit, or fireproof box, is recommended.

Q3) This journal proclaims, “Journal once a year. Shape the story of your life.” But if I journal only once a year won’t it be hard for me to recall, and thus record all of the events that happened throughout the year?

A3) Great question and we agree. This is why your journal includes annual ‘Memory Reminders Pages’.

Memory Reminder Pages list all 12 calendar months (Jan, Feb, March, etc.) Next to each month are lined spaces that allow you to jot down events and experiences as they happen in real time.

So although you only formally journal 'once-a-year' you can easily keep track of daily events. Here are some Memory Reminder Examples: X-Mas dinner the cake fell over / Jan. 12th scored the winning basket with 12 seconds left on the clock / Learned to first drive on Winter Street in Lynbrook, NY

Hint: Leave your journal out in a place where you see it every day so whenever something significant happens you can quickly jot it down.

Q4) For what age is this journal most appropriate?

A4) Well of course The Thought of Me journal is appropriate for all ages--you are never too young or too old to start! But we will give you some expanded thoughts...

This journal is quite perfectly geared to the tween audience since:

° they are old enough to write on their own
° and young enough to watch their perspectives, on consistent topics, morph SIGNIFICANTLY over the years. Their thoughts about school, marriage, pets, housework, etc. will undoubtedly change drastically as the years pass.

It is also geared to young adults. The author of this journal thought up the concept when she was sixteen, but didn’t start using it until it was published (age 36)--she is surprised each year to witness how much her thoughts, goals, and perspectives continue to change even during adulthood.

For mature adults. We’ve receive a lot of positive feedback surrounding this journal but for some reason we also receive many comments like this, “I wish they had this when I was younger, great gift idea for my niece...”

If we had a soapbox we’d be stepping on to it now to say, “Journaling is not limited to the young. You are never too old to capture your present thoughts!” This journal is a great way to share your thoughts with your family members and/or kids. So for example, if you are age 60 and your daughter is age 36... If you start journaling now at age 60, when your daughter turns 60 you can both compare your thoughts, at the same age. The closest you will ever come to a Freaky Friday movie. What a wonderful legacy to leave behind for your family as well. A must have for interested genealogists.

Q5) Where can I purchase this journal?

A5) The Thought of Me is available currently on Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles, and other online retailers. If you visit your local bookstores and provide them with the title [The Thought of Me], author [Karen Norris], or Paperback ISBN [1432740660 ] or Hardcover ISBN [1432754971] or they can order it directly to your home.

For bulk orders (10 or more journals) you can order at a reduced rate by visiting: outskirtspress.com/buybooks. Again key in title [The Thought of Me], author [Karen Norris], or Paperback ISBN [1432740660 ] or Hardcover ISBN [1432754971]

Q6) Are bulk discounts available, if I want to buy a bunch and hold to use as gifts or for birthday favors?

A6) For bulk orders (10 or more journals) you can order at a reduced rate by visiting: outskirtspress.com/buybooks. Again key in title [The Thought of Me], author [Karen Norris], or Paperback ISBN [1432740660 ] or Hardcover ISBN [1432754971].

Q7) Is The Thought of Me journal available in other languages?

A7) Although you can order from Amazon France, etc. at this time the journal is only available in English. We do look forward to your suggestions; to suggest a revised edition in another language email us at: thethoughtofme@gmail.com

Q8) I’d like to start journaling but I can't decide between this journal or a traditional lined journal? Which is best?

A8) Our honest opinion is that you need both. The Thought of Me journal is the only journal that allows you to capture your thoughts, consistently at every age (like a mini time capsule for each year of your life). But if you want to do expanded writing (let’s say write 10 pages about your graduation), you would need more space and we suggest a free form lined journal. Again amazon.com offers free shipping on order over $25 so purchasing a beautifully lined journal and The Thought of Me journal is the ideal solution. Remember with The Thought of Me you shape your life by journaling once annually so having both is easy to manage.

Q9) A teacher friend of mine said their school is using this journal as a fundraiser, is this possible?

A9) Yes bulk buying discounts make this possible. So instead of buying at the retail price $19.99, you can purchase ten or more at an item price of $10.00 a journal. It is simple to do this and you do not need to contact the author to do this, simply go to outskirtspress.com/buybooks and key in title [The Thought of Me], author [Karen Norris], or Paperback ISBN [1432740660 ] or Hardcover ISBN [1432754971] and purchase ten or more at the discounted rate. Then turn around and sell at or above the retail price. Voila a new fundraising item more unique than chocolate, magazines, or wrapping paper.

Q10) Does the journal have any special features?

A10) Yes.

° A special photo area to record your changes in appearance, in addition to your emotional growth
° Monthly reminders pages to aid your memory when journaling each year
° Helpful hints to assist young children in capturing their early history
° A secret passage area to record your deepest desires, and more…

Q11) I saw a facebook promotion on your website, can you explain further?

A11) Sure. We love seeing the faces of those people who have bought and are using The Thought of Me--so we created a fan club on facebook (titled: The Thought of Me Fan Club) to encourage you to share your stories, life journaling experiences and product feedback. If you upload your photo (holding your copy The Thought of Me journal) you are automatically enrolled for a chance to win a free journal. One winner is selected every three months. Good luck and thanks for sharing.