WW: Observation Journal - Descriptive Writing

Let's flex our observation skills and our descriptive writing/prose muscles! How, you ask? Wellll...

Take a small journal or notebook - it can be quite thin since this will only have 10 entries, but it should NOT be a pocket notebook. Carry that notebook with you for a while, and really slow down to look around you. Look around you on your commute. When you're walking the dog. When you're gazing out the window, or in a meeting, or gardening, or out to eat, or wherever and whatever you're doing. Look. Observe. Note the small details that people tune out - the crack in the glass, the chip in the paint, the old flyer on the phone pole, the gradient of shade or tone in the leaves on a tree...or the large tableaus that are playing out before you, like a sunset, a couple fighting, a traffic jam. I think you get the point.

Then write about it. When writing about it, try to describe it (whatever it is) without sounding like a dimestore romance author. The purpose of this is to hone your descriptive skills without going overboard or losing your audience. Minimize the use of metaphor wherever possible!

Entries should be handwritten for preference because hopefully, you'll be stopping to write (if you can - don't burden yourself!) in short order after noticing whatever it was that inspired you in the first place. They should also be at least 4 pages (2 sheets in your notebook) long. That's the minimum. The idea is to get you writing, describing, thinking about the little things so more is always better.

In a Nutshell

• One small(ish) journal with 10 entries (more if you're really inspired, but 10 is more than good for this swap), describing something you observed that day, large or small.

• Minimize metaphor.

• Practice prose.

• Each entry will be a minimum of 4 sheets (2 pages, front and back) in your journal.

• Decorating the journal is purely optional. If you're so inclined, go for it - but the focus is on your observations.

The Administrivia

• One journal to one partner.

• 10 entries, 4 pages minimum per entry (2 sheets, front and back) in the journal

• Notebook must NOT be a pocket sized notebook. Anything larger than pocket size is fine.

• Send on time. Rate promptly upon receipt. Sending late without communication warrants a 3 rating and removal from the group. Not rating or having to be chased for a rating also warrants removal from the group. This is still an issue with some members and if these two basic requirements are not met, there will be no more chances given, nor will you receive a warning. Communicate and rate. Period. It's not hard.

• Hearts are purely at the discretion of the rater.

• If you flake, you will be removed immediately from this group.

• If you are flaked on, let me know. I will angel this swap after you rate a 1. We cannot keep this group safe if you don't communicate with myself or @Poftoffel and rate appropriately.

• Questions? DM or leave a comment!