The Un-Journal Journaling Swap: March 2014

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

1. Three things you want in a relationship
2. What is something you dislike about yourself?
3. Favorite holiday
4. What is the best advice you have ever received?
5. Can you cook?
6. When was the last time you talked to your best friend?
7. List your bad habits and/or addictions and what you have tried to rid yourself of them
8. The best way to show someone that I love them…
9. Friendship to me means….
10. I feel loved when….
11. How full is your glass?
12. Would you rather be blind or deaf?
13. Which dead person would you most/least want to be haunted by?
14. Which of the four seasons do you most anticipate?
15. What do you think is Victoria’s secret?
16. Define your personal style
17. Describe a time when you were brave
18. In what ways do you consider yourself to be quirky?
19. How do you feel about loneliness?
20. Describe “love” using all five sense
21. Someone who has profoundly affected you
22. I secretly wish I….
23. Someone you are keeping in your life for their sake, not yours
24. What type of person makes you feel inferior?
25. Describe how you felt when you visited your grandparents’ house as a child
26. Your most satisfying victory
27. What lessons do you take from your regrets?
28. Something you want people to know about you
29. Describe a situation that was a “the end” of something for you
30. Something you did to someone that you have a hard time forgiving yourself for

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.