|
This will be the first in a series of Creative Writing Journal swaps we will host. This was inspired by (and the prompts are patently taken, verbatim, from...) Creative Writing Now, when browsing for writer's journals ideas. They have several series of prompts designed to get you thinking, observing, and writing more each day. Then I realized that this would be perfect for our group!
The website notes that a Creative Writing Journal is important for the following: "If you write fiction, drama, or poetry, a journal can build your writing muscles and generate ideas. It can be a laboratory, where you experiment with different approaches. It can be a source of details to add texture and crispness to your writing. And whenever you get stuck or feel uninspired, you will be able to go to your creative writing journal for fresh material."
For this first swap, we will keep a journal in which we answer the prompts listed below. We will be swapping the journals themselves, so you may duplicate your journal if you wish to keep one for yourself, but the idea here is to start ourselves writing - and to inspire one another. So instead of looking for fresh material from your own musings, you'll have something even more to inspire you from someone else!
I'm giving a long lead time on this so that you can fully explore each prompt. And yes, there will be follow on swaps that will explore a range of ideas and thoughts from the website.
Swap Details
1 Journal to 1 partner. The journal may be anything from handmade to a composition notebook to a leather bound grimoire on writing. It's sender's choice as to what they're most comfortable writing in - and how much they're willing to pay for postage. The journal's minimum size should be 5x7. Each prompt should be explored thoroughly, so write a minimum of one page (more is highly encouraged) to answer each prompt. Remember, you're getting your own creative juices flowing and hopefully inspiring your partner with your responses too! Page and cover art/decorations are optional.
Prompts
What kind of day are you having, and why? What's your favorite color, place, food, book, song, or movie, and why? What do you like to do? How does it make you feel? Where are you happiest? Describe that place. What's something you're good at? What makes you good at it? What do you consider to be your culture, and how do you feel about it? What would you change about yourself or your life? Is there a way for you to change it? What is your relationship like with various members of your family? If you have brothers or sisters, how are you similar to them or different from them? What about with your friends? What are your views on religion? What keeps you up at night worrying? Are your worries realistic? Is there anything you can do about them? Do you have a philosophy of life? If so, what is it? If not, what is your method for making important decisions? In what areas are you optimistic, and in what areas are you pessimistic? What are your most prized possessions? Who is someone you miss? What is something someone else has that you envy? Describe it and your feelings about it. What is a book, movie, song, or television program that has influenced you, and how? What is a mistake people often make about you? What's something you disagree with about the way you were raised? What's your favorite: season, color, place, and food? Describe each in detail.
The Rules of the Road:
Your journal must be at least 5x7. It may be handmade or store bought and composition notebooks are fine. Entries must be a minimum of one page. Edited to Add: The prompts may be typewritten, printed, and pasted into your journal however, the preference is that you handwrite your responses. The act of actually putting pen to paper has been shown to create stronger links to the brain, aid in memory, and is far more intimate for writing like this because it makes you think before you respond (you can't delete ink!). BUT, if you have a condition that makes handwriting a painful experience, please PM your partner to let them know that you will be typing your responses as well. We want to be sure that everyone can participate! Decorated pages and/or cover art are up to the individual. Send on time. Rate promptly and fairly. You cannot rate down because you didn't like what you received if it meets the requirements of the swap otherwise.
Note: We will remove non-raters from the group if this becomes an issue (I don't expect that it will be). Hearts are at the discretion of the rater.
- I certainly don't expect anyone to flake in this swap but if that does happen, please let me know after you rate a 1 and I will angel. Please note that anyone who flakes will be immediately removed from this group.
|
