R&W: Journal Pages #1

Many years ago, when I returned to SB after a break, there was a series of swaps to create a collected journal. It was a lot of fun, I loved seeing the different books people chose, what they had to share, see their handwriting. However, it was chancy as books could get lost in the mail, people could drop out of the series, and it could be expensive to mail. All of those reasons and others combined to lead me to this idea, which I originally hosted as a public swap, even before starting this group! I've called it Collected Journal as well as Journal Pages, so if you're an 'old timer' :) you may remember it.

The overall benefit to this type of swap is that it is low cost to mail (it should mail just as a letter) and there's no chance of loosing all the work. Plus, you can join in when you wish. :) I hope you will give this swap a chance and join in the fun. It can be done as an email swap, and I'm willing to do that, too, if there is an interest. But you need to let me know in a PM. :)

You will have 1 partner and this swap is International. I'm going to set it as a type 3 swap, though, because you should spend some time writing. But! You are only sending a few sheets of paper, not a whole journal. This way we can share and write and enjoy - and not break the bank! :) (Given the state of the mail these days, though, I highly encourage you to take a photo or keep another type of copy of the swap in case it gets lost in the mail and needs to be re-sent.) Page size is 8.5 x 11 or A4 in size Try not to use margins over .75"-1 inch so you have plenty of room for writing.

This swap can be typed or handwritten - sender's choice. You may add a bit of decoration, but it shouldn't take up too much of the paper - this is a WRITING swap, after all. And, of course, you want to give your partner something to READ! :) Pages can be neatly folded and mailed as a regular letter, though. No need to send flat That should help the mail find you, and again, not break the bank. :)

And, you can start on it now, if you wish. It's not really partner specific or time specific.

There are 4 sections to this swap, and it should use up at least 2 sheets of paper. (more if you don't do front & back.)

Section 1/ Page 1: is an introduction. This should be at least 1/ 2 page long, giving details about yourself other than what is on your SB profile. Age, marital status, family size, pets are all welcome, but think of - more! What would YOU like to hear from your partner? This can be a full page if you wish! BUT! Only 1/2 page is required.

Section 2/ Page 2: This is a FULL PAGE journal entry about your day or week (or month!) Did you do anything different? Work on a project? Have a holiday or celebration? Writing a FULL page can be tough, so if you want to write a few lines each day for a week or so, that's fine. Just date the entry, and try to fill up the page.

Section 3/ Page 3: This is a FULL PAGE journal entry to a PROMPT (listed below). Choose 1 (or 2) of the prompts and write a full page to that prompt. You can be as detailed and personal as you wish. You don't have to tell secrets, but think about sharing with a friend. :)
Prompts:

• find a quote that you like. Write out the full quote (and who said it, if you can find that), then tell your partner why you chose it, why you like it, how it speaks to you. How did you find it?

• share a dream you recently had. What does this mean to you? Do you often remember your dreams? Or try to decode them? Are there elements to the dream that feel true?

• Without thinking too much, answer the following question: What is the most present thought on my mind right now, and what does it mean?

• Write a letter to a childhood friend. (Change names if you wish.)

  • Write about a book you read (recently or just very memorable). Be sure to include the full title and author's name. What did you enjoy about the book? How did you find it? Would you read others of the same genre or by the same author?

Section 4/ Page 4: This is a FULL PAGE and it is a 5-10 minute free write. Set a time and write for at least 5 minutes. Even if it is "I can't think of anything to write", write for 5 minutes. (If there is anything private that comes out during that time that you don't wish to share, you can go back and cover it with stickers or washi or something - please don't feel you have to share more than you are comfortable with.)

So, that's the 4 sections/pages. You can type/write front/back of the paper, and save paper weight for mailing. Just be sure your ink/writing doesn't show through - make sure your partner can read what you've written. :) Fold the paper neatly and send in an envelope. Be sure your user name & the swap title is on or with the pages. This is for rating, and also if you decide to collect the pages together, it would be nice to see who wrote what later on. :)

My overall idea for the swap is that we would all collect the pages together in a folder or binder to look at later - which is why the page size is so important! Also, so that everyone is meeting the same requirement.

Questions? Comments? Please send me a PM! I'll reply as soon as I can, I promise.