Thanks to one of my journal writing students, I have just become aware of International Fake Journal Month. Yes, you read that right: International Fake Journal Month (IFJM). When I first read it, I said, “??????” But then I checked out their Official Website, and here’s what I found out:
A fake journal is, essentially, a journal where you get to live and write about any life you want—in your imagination. You can armchair travel to Ireland and journal about it, as my student did. You can live for a month as Marilyn Monroe or Ghandi. You can imagine you are a world-renowned journalist and interview a series of celebrities. You can become a dog, a cat, or a tiger. Animals that write! There are, apparently, no boundaries.
Created by blogger Roz Stendahl, who identifies herself simply as “Journalrat,” IFJM runs from April 1st to April 30th each year. The idea is to keep this fake journal for a month and then share it with your online fake journal buddies—or is that fake online journal buddies? Anyway … I can think of many writing related reasons to play this game. If you’re researching the middle ages for historical fiction, travel back in time and journal about it! Writing about family? Become a family member for a month (egads!). How about traveling to the future or to another planet?
Browsing through last year’s Fake Journal Bloggers, I saw that the concept has a lot of flexibility. Some drew pictures on art paper, some scrapbook-journaled in a notebook with colored pencils, pasting in pictures, tickets stubs, and other “memorabilia.” Others posted their journals online, a post a day, and incorporated pictures.
There are only two “rules.”
- Your entries must be dated in present time. That means, if you write or draw your entry on April 3, 2012, it must be dated April 3, 2012.
– - You must use a special journal for the purpose, not just incorporate the Fake Journal into your regular journal.
Other than that, your fake journal is limited only by your imagination and willingness to play. Sound like fun? I suggest you read all about it at Official IFJM Blog, then come back here and let me know if you’re going to participate. I may even post links to participants’ posts.
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