@Cubsfanjennie & @LauraAust

The Un-Journal Journaling Swap 2014; April 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 April, 2014 (choose and write on 10 of these):

How easy is it for you to forgive those who have caused you pain? Describe a dream you had recently What is something you do well? Favorite book What’s something that makes you really angry? What is your favorite memory from childhood? How many times have you moved in your life? Write about a difficult decision you had to make Pick up a random object that has special meaning to you and tell me about it Describe your feelings in regards to an issue in today’s society and what should be done to fix it Name a time when you broke a rule or law Describe a time when you made someone’s day Describe yourself physically and emotionally I sometimes allow other people to talk me into… I deserve to be treated…. Describe what you think it is like to live with you What do you think has been the most significant event that has taken place during your life? What can frighten you the most? What do you think brings good or bad luck? What memory do you want to keep from today? What is the last thing you apologized for? On a scale from 1-10 how is your health? What book are your reading right now? Tell me about it. What stresses you? Are you holding a grudge? Who is the strongest person you know? Last thing you wanted but didn’t get What was the last new thing you tried? What has challenged your morals? What is your super power? 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.