These are the three books I'm finding inspiring currently. Did you read Natalie Goldburg's famous, "Writing Down the Bones" book? I read it years ago, and it made me realize writing was important and that I had something to say. Super inspiration. I didn't know, until now, that she also paints and wrote a book about it. Her observations in painting, informs her writing. Her easy attitude about just DOING it, would make anyone want to paint.
Oh and guess what? This used copy I bought happens to be signed by the author, and with a nice paper article about her tucked in. Huh!
Tracy Bunker's "Art Journal Workshop" is a great start for art journal newbies like me. The CD shows her process step by step, though I'm mostly enjoying the content prompts. This style of art journal isn't just about making the page look good, but important topics to write IN it.
The third book, on top, I had to hide from myself until I've finished the other two!
One of my other loves, is carving rubber stamps. I'm making a new set for use in art journaling.
You don't have gouge as deeply as you may think, but watch that you take enough of the edge off if you don't want to see it. I love this thick carving medium because I can stamp with it without adding backing. 
A blank page made from an Art Journal technique of painting on and scrubbing off. I've discovered the joy of white on top by accident.
