The Un-Journal Journaling Swap: February 2014

The Un-Journal Journaling Swap 2014; February 2014

I really want to do more writing – the problem is, I won’t do it unless I have a reason. I’ve been giving this situation a lot of thought and I have finally come up with an idea for a swap that isn’t a huge commitment (although, genuine effort will be expected), will allow me to write on a variety of topics, won’t hold me to a really short list of specific topics, and will allow me to “meet” multiple swappers (and be exposed to different writing styles) over the course of 2014.

This will be an ongoing, monthly swap throughout 2014. This allows people to sign up for all 12, just one, or pick and choose any number of months. The sign up deadline will be the last day of the previous month and the send by date will be the 5th of the following month. The entire year of swaps will be posted at once (more or less) – this way you can work on future months when you want to (there is no reason to have to wait until partners are assigned each month to begin your writing).

Each month’s swap description will list a variety of journal prompts. You will choose 10 of those prompts to use.

You may do your journaling on lined notebook paper, stationery, plain paper, the back of placements, graph paper, etc. The only requirement is that the paper you are using is clean! You do not have to decorate with stickers or doodles, but you most certainly can do so if you want!

Your journaling can be handwritten (printed, cursive or a combination), or it can be typed. The only requirement is that it be legible! You may use colored pens/ink – when you rate, you may not rate down if your partner wrote/printed in a color you do not like.

If you want to keep your journaling it is permissible to make photocopies of what you have written and send your partner the photocopies. Photocopies must be legible and not that kind of old toner that brushes off when touched.

Each prompt should be at least a full 8” x 10” (approx.) page (or two 5” x 8” pages) – or something comparable. Please put time and effort into your writing – send something you would be happy receiving. Be sure to indicate on the first page the swap name and the month. Also, indicate the prompt as you begin each one (so the reader knows what you are addressing with your writing).

This is an international swap since we aren’t sending a whole journal/book each time. I realize one month you might be mailing just 10 sheets of paper (or just 5 sheets if you write on both sides) while other months you might be mailing more – keep this in mind before you sign up.

You must have a minimum rating of 4.99 to join. If you are new enough to not have any ratings you are welcome to join if you have a well filled out profile (I will be the judge) AND you are a member of the Newbie Helpers group. I reserve the right to ban anyone for any reason – I am so tired of flakers!

I will angel if there are any flakers. But, please - do not flake (I guess that goes without saying)! I will be outing any and all flakers in every way I can think of.

Please list any questions you have below so that everyone can see the answers - thanks!!

Journal prompts for February, 2014 (choose and write on 10 of these):

1. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
2. What do you want to be remembered for?
3. What were your teen years like?
4. Where will you be in 10 years?
5. What is your favorite holiday?
6. Do you attend church?
7. Describe learning to drive?
8. Have you ever witnessed a birth?
9. Write about quitting or getting fired.
10. Write about being a misfit
11. What 5 websites do you visit often, and why?
12. Name a totally useless possession and how you acquired it
13. Describe a time you felt alone
14. Does Never-Never Land really exist?
15. A song that means a lot to you, and why
16. An education is / is not important
17. Describe a typical evening at home
18. Describe your favorite meal
19. Do you want a funeral?
20. If I were invisible, I would….
21. My worst quality is….
22. Write a history of your hairstyles
23. Are you saving or spending?
24. Are you happy?
25. My last vacation…
26. Who is your hero?
27. If you could read one person’s mind, whose?
28. What are you seeking?
29. What relaxes you?
30. Are you settling for something?

Questions and answers from prior months:

Q. Do we have to fill a full page if we type our responses?
A. If typing, the length of each prompt should be a MINIMUM of half an 8 1/2" by 11" sheet of paper (or comparable amount if you are using bigger/smaller paper). Please feel free to write/type more than the minimum requirement!

Q. Why isn’t this a Type 3 Swap?
A. It is a Type 2 swap because it is a writing swap - that's a flat mail swap. It is not required to decorate your pages in any way - so, it's not a Type 3 swap. It’s not a package swap, nor is it a craft swap.

It is certainly up to each swapper as to whether he/she wants to join this swap as a "Type 2" swap. For me this swap is about the thinking, reflecting and the writing (and the reading).
Simply making it a Type 3 swap will not guarantee that anyone puts any more effort into it than if it is a Type 2 swap.

Q. Do I have to decorate my pages in some way?
A. Decorating the pages is NOT a requirement of this swap - your partner CANNOT rate you lower than a 5 if you send the required amount of writing. No one should feel disappointed in receiving non-decorated pages for this swap. Please don't feel like you have to decorate your pages - it is NOT required.

Q. If you must be a member of the Newbie Helpers group why isn't this a group swap?
A. You must only be a member of the "Newbie Helpers" group if you are UNRATED; otherwise it is open to the EVERYONE with a rating of 4.99 or higher.

Q. Are you going to host a USA only version?
A. I don't intend on making a USA only version. If you want to, feel free, but I do ask that you use your own list of prompts each month.