For this month’s column, Michelle Gant shares the launch of a new creative writing project called A Life in A Day – which is essentially one, big collaborative diary! Here, Michelle explains how you can get involved
January. And time to open up this year’s diary, ready to capture the moments, memories, thoughts, and reflections of the days to come. This year though, as well as the pretty A5 book that will be my writing companion for the next 361 days (and counting), I’ve opened up another journal. And it’s one that you can add your own entry to.This year, I’ve started a new creative writing project called A Life in A Day. A shared, collaborative, virtual diary. A space for everyone. Whoever you are. Whatever your age.
Wherever you live. Whatever you do. Whatever matters to you. There is a page here for you. And you can write as little or as much as you like.
I’ve had this idea in my head for a while and the reason is because as always, I want to bring people together through words. Because by sharing a bit of ourselves, we can find difference and similarity; recognition and newness, and we’ll come to see the power there is in sharing and getting to know each other. And of course (because I say it all the time!) I think writing is a super-powerful tool and keeping a diary is such a fantastic outlet for our self-expression. So, I hope that people taking part will feel the impact of writing their journal entry and maybe feel inspired – if they aren’t already – to keep the momentum going with their own diary.
It’s so easy to take part. You say: “I’m in”, we agree what date you want to write, and away you go. Then I share your words online – and the grand vision is – in a book too which your words could also feature in. Which, as always, we will sell for charity. So, if you are reading this, I would love for you to take part.
This is for everyone, whether you consider yourself a writer or not – and in fact, I would really like to hear from people who may not normally get involved in something like this. Plus, if you need a bit of help to get started, then I’m also running an online workshop on at 6pm on 14th January. I hope you can join me.
To kick start the year, here’s the first contribution by, well, me: Thursday, 1st January 2026 – Michelle – A Life in A Day, but I am not the only author of this diary and I am excited to share more entries in the coming weeks and months by contributors who are signing up to add their voice. They will be sharing days when they’re doing ordinary things and not so ordinary things too – you’ll just have to keep reading to find out more…
And if you need further encouragement, may it be found in this which I saw in a shop window at Liverpool Street Station. I had to go back and photograph it, it stopped me in my tracks (the play on words, entirely deliberate!) Write something. And I am here to support you to do just that, and to showcase your words.
Visit A Life in A Day.
Featured image of Michelle Gant – supplied
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