a few notes on journal jam

Good weekend! 

Journal Jam is around the corner!

I wanted to take a few minutes to answer some common questions: 
 

1. What is this?

Journal Jam is a summer program I've run for the last decade. It started out as a collection of cool kitchen table activities to do as a family. I had younger kids at the time and was invested in open-ended, exploratory projects - so we tended to do process-oriented, low-cost activities that could be contained or documented in a journal. Much of that ethos remains, although the approach has broadened as I started getting more adults participating in the jam. So, I began focusing on making the prompts as useful for a parent with toddlers at the table as adult writers. It seems impossible - but I think I do that pretty well. 

At its essence, Journal Jam seeks to disrupt perspective and rutted thinking. How you apply that o p e n i n g - is up to you. It might be as simple as offering a kid the opportunity to look closely at an ant hill, to look for and document interesting words at the grocery store, or if you are a writer, you might write a scene for your novel from a new vantage point.  


2. Who is it for?

Everyone. End stop. 

3. Is there a supply list?

You should be able to use things you already have. You might want a journal (mixed media pages are great). Things to write with (pens, pencils, crayons...). Stickers are fun. Collage materials that you can gather for free. Glue. Tape. That's a great starting point. I will offer small DIY crafty ideas that are optional. If you do them, you might need a jar, some Christmas lights, a pack or JELLO—all things you can easily procure locally. 

4. Who are you, making up this weird class?

I am a parent of three unschooled kids (they are older teens and young adults now). I am a writer and teacher. I am putting the final touches on a novel this summer. I teach advanced international students online, at the local state university, and adult writers through my platform and Hugo House in Seattle. But more importantly, I am super curious and spend my free time surveying and documenting the parking lot bird feeders (people, not physical birdfeeders) in my town. I also love researching homes and how we live in them and spend a lot of time wandering around thrift stores and reading. And I love vintage recipes (currently on a pimento cheese kick).

5. I am horrible with follow-through; is this a bad idea?

Welcome to the popcorn brain club. I am with you 100%. I am distractable and apt to go down rabbit holes following my interests. That is okay! Keep the labs in your inbox or a folder and use them as you need them. And if one kicks off a minor obsession - lucky you! Follow that thread all the way to the end. There is no gold star for attendance or completion here. This lab is meant to help you construct a creative practice on your own terms that works for YOU (and your people). 
 

Message me if you have any questions. And please sign up now if you are interested in joining us.

Enrollment decides if we are going to run Journal Jam - and we are close. 

NOTE to Journal Jam veterans - the sign-up is now at my website. Here is the link!

All the creative love to YOU!
Amy