First half of the month – January 1 – 16, 2026

Welcome to the 12th annual Just Jot it January! This is your chance to inspire other people with your very own prompt and have your blog linked to the Daily Prompt post.

I’ve decided to do this in two parts again this year—Jan. 1 – 16, and Jan 18 – 30. Because Just Jot it January only runs on days that don’t include One-Liner Wednesday and Stream of Consciousness Saturday, I only need 12 prompt words today, so if you miss getting your word in on this post, you’ll have another chance on Saturday, January 17th. If I don’t get prompts for every day from you all, I’ll choose them myself.

Read the rules carefully! I need 12 single words to use in the Just Jot It January challenge, for January 1st through to the 16th. This is how you can be included:

• I’m looking for a single word, plus a link to your blog, plus the name you wish me to use when I post your prompt (your name or the name you blog by). So for example, mine would be “antidisestablishmentarianism lindaghill.com Linda”
• If you try to slip in two prompts, even in two different comments—I’ll only accept the first. If I get the same word twice, I’ll only accept the first person who got to it. If you’re the second, I’ll let you know so you can try again. And please, remember this is a relatively G-rated blog, so nothing too risque.
• The first 12 comments on this post that include a single word (plus link and name) will be the prompts for the first half of January.
• These prompts will go up on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 2am EST. I’ll take care of One-Liner Wednesday and Stream of Consciousness Saturday myself.
• I’ll link back to the blog of whomever gives me a prompt on the day I use it.
• Make sure you get your comment in early. You don’t want to miss out!
• Please don’t bother entering a prompt if your blog is inactive or if it exists only to sell things. If you haven’t posted in over a month and you’re only looking for clicks, your prompt word will be rejected. If, on the other hand, you’re planning to use JusJoJan to inspire you to get back into the swing of things, let me know immediately in a second comment — NOT the one you give your prompt word in. If I can’t find a reasonable number of posts written in the last month that aren’t trying to sell a product, your prompt word will be rejected.
• Be positive!! I’ve found over the years that prompt words that are negative in nature don’t get as much participation as more positive words. I don’t want to limit you, but please keep in mind that if your word is on the controversial, sadder, or angrier side, your prompt may not get as many responses.
• If you provide a prompt, please try your best to write a post on the day your prompt appears. Also, I encourage you to join in as much as possible throughout the month.
• Only one prompt per person for the month. If you get in this time, don’t try again next time.
• NOTE: Please count the number of correctly formatted comments ahead of yours. If there are already 12, save yours for January 17th!

Please see the “Rules” post for a complete list of the prompt words. I’ll populate it as the words come in. Here’s the link in case you missed it.

Okay. Are you ready? Aaaaand … prompt! One word, one link, one name!