Making it Meaningful

You are creative. Though you may not believe you are creative enough to write your stories, you are the only person who can write about your life from your own point of view.

So, let's take a closer look at how to do that -- this writing thing. Now, I will warn you up front that while some of you may find it hard to start writing, I find it hard to stop! Not that I am a great writer, but I am very verbose. This was never clearer than in the 7th grade. My teacher thumb tacked a report I'd written to the bulletin board and it didn't hold. Five minutes later all 52 pages fell onto the floor and whooshed under half the desks in the room! My good friend Lucy couldn't stop laughing, saying that I deserved it for writing a report 5 times thicker than anyone else's. I realised then that I really did have to edit myself more strictly. (Thanks Lucy!)

Not every scrapbook page requires a story, but one of the things I most love about working with photos is how wonderfully they prompt stories and memories. In fact, I have way too many pages where I finished the layout and left the writing to do later -- only to forget the story I thought I'd always remember when 'later' came.

So, like most creative exercises, the hardest thing is just starting. Here are a few things that help me.

1. Just start writing whatever comes to mind. Single words, phrases, anything! What does the photo compel you to share? Forget grammar (for now) and essay writing -- just write like you think, or like you talk to get it flowing. If you get really stuck, show the photo to someone else and then listen to yourself as you talk about it.
2. Determine who is telling the story. Is it me with my voice (1st person), or someone else like the person in the photo (2nd person), or someone as a narrator (3rd person)?
3. Consider what is worth saying. Avoid repeating in words what is obvious in the photo. Be sure the words add value to the photo. Is there a message to convey, a lesson learned, a laugh too good to forget?
4. Write for yourself. Then edit for your grandkids! What may seem obvious now may need extra explanation for them to understand when your life is considered archaic!

Available space often determines how much to write, but sometimes the story can overtake the photos! When this happens, try to step into 'editor' mode by looking at the project with an objective view. Or show the story to someone else for feedback. Honest feedback - the only kind that really helps!

That said, below is an example of the same story presented two ways. Very different from a design perspective, but both are valuable because the story is told!



This page was made about 6 years after the event while I was trying to get caught up on all the years I hadn't scrapped, so it was made in the 'get it done' mode -- a mode I wish I had enabled more often back then, as I am still catching up!



Notice how much better the photos look when digitised using the auto fix in Storybook Creator Plus software! This layout was created with Creative Memories digital products and some of my own embellishments. Watch my webinar for information on how to make your own embellishments.

I need to do more pages like these. Pages that tell the stories worth sharing ... and remembering. Design is one thing, but the stories add the real bling.

Happy writing!
Note: Want to read the story? See the first comment below.