Journaling

[Photogirl2]

It seems this is the hardest part for me. I'm wondering those of you who do a lot of journaling, what is your secret?

[dugarner]

I have always been a prolific journaler. In fact, my friends used to make fun of me for writing so much on my pages. It was in fun, of course, they weren't being mean. Maybe at the beginning they were a little snarky, but after they got a hold of my 2009 Project 365 album, they had a newfound respect for the narrative effort I put into my pages.

My secret isn't so much a technique as a motivation. My last grandparent---my mom's mom---died a year ago today at the age of 98 + 1 day (she died the day after her birthday). My dad's parents have been gone almost 30 years, and my dad is 82, my mom is 74. Her sister died three years ago, young (62). Our family's stories are old, not remembered well, and dying, and I am frantic to record them before my parents are gone and my children have no stories. No one in my family was a storyteller or record keeper. 70 years of history are crammed in boxes in my mom's dungeon of a basement.

That desire to tell their stories trickled down to my own life. I have a chronic illness that is unpredictable and even though none of us knows how long we'll be here, I have a particular sense of urgency to record what I can **today**. Not to be morbid, just to be with purpose.

So almost every photo I scrap is accompanied by a story---a sentence, two sentences, or a paragraph. Sometimes a page. I create a text box when I've finished my layout and I start to talk about the photo as though I'm describing it to someone who wasn't there when the photo was taken. It helps.

At first, my journaling felt stilted and artificial, but then I found that if I relaxed and used my "email" voice, that of an informal narration to a close friend, it evened out quite a bit. You could even try talking the journaling out, and then typing what you've said.

Even two years later, I'm finding that my paragraphs for each day in 2009 bring back memories of events I don't remember. It's a gift that makes the albums exponentially more special.

[Myra]

I am so glad you asked this question! I would feel as though I couldn't breathe if I couldn't write. To me, journaling is the essence of scrapbooking. My perspective (slanted as it may be) is that pages should start with a story. Stories are what scrapbooking is for! Up until I started digi-scrapbooking, I religiously kept my photos organized in in photo albums. That ended in 2005 when I realized that I could pair words and photos.

Like everything creative, you have to find your own voice. You know how some peoples' styles are clean and graphic, others are whimsical, and still others are very traditional? When you journal, you need to discover your own style. Sarah has lots of good advice in her post. Here's mine.

I like to imagine myself telling a story to a dear friend. If I was sharing, what would I say? I wouldn't say, "it was fun" and leave it at that. What kind of conversationalist would I be? In real life I would say, "You wouldn't believe how our day started! We went to the park. The sun was shining right after the rain, and then most unexpectedly, Jake fell flat on his bottom on the boardwalk. You should have seen his face when we couldn't stop laughing!"

Of course, that is made up, but do you get the idea? Make the paper your friend. Sounds silly, but I'm telling you, the paper has become my friend. I have discovered my voice because I write like I talk. It might feel awkward at first, but you will find your voice if you keep practicing. It is the essence of you. I promise your family will thank you if you just write.

[readstoomuch]

I love how you explained your journaling techniques, Sarah & Myra! You each have a real gift for the written word.

[lizj]

I loved both Sarah and Myra's perspective on this!

I love the POINT of a story. I love a story. So, for me, the journaling comes fairly easily. I don't put a whole story on every page. But, I like to start with the story. That might mean a one photo lo. It might mean a multi-photo lo. It might even mean a no-photo lo. But for me, the story is the point. I find that helps, as a good starting point. Does that help you? Look at a photo and think of the STORY, not the photo. And then just let it come.

[kikimama]

Wow, I love the advice from Sarah and Myra!

For me, I often want to tell a story before I've decided on how the page will go, so I often write it out in a notebook if I'm waiting at a cafe or wherever. Then I can play with it until it seems right. Sometimes the photo I use doesn't come from the same time as the story.

There are some pages where I don't journal much at all, and others with a fair bit of journalling. I usually write the ones of my kids as if I'm talking to them so I say 'You were doing this', as it'll mostly be them that look at the pages.

Sometimes it does feel artificial, especially if I try to force it, and being a Scot, we're not known for our gushing praise and emotions, so some pages are easier than others. Keep trying, it's so worth it.

For me, it's the bonus of scrapbooking compared to a traditional photo album, it's like an album with an extra dimension, the photos with stories attached. Like Sarah, my husbands' family is almost all gone, and with it a lot of the stories, so we're left with some photos, but no idea who is in them or the context. I want to leave more for my family.

(You know, I don't think of myself as a chatty person, but maybe I am)

[Janet1949]

So interesting.. I am NOT a journaler at all, I really wish I could add more journaling to my pages, but it feels so 'artificial' as Sarah stated, I get embarrassed when friends look at my books and read my journaling, (especially when I know my friends are NOT into scrapbooking at all).. but, I am really going to try and take some of what you have said today on board, and try and write it as if Im telling the story.. watch this space !

[Britgirl]

my biggest 'tip' for journaling is - explain it. You know when you show your photos to someone, and you say 'oh this is where we did this, and had that, oh it was so funny you should have seen x's face...' well; write that. write so the viewer of your pages knows whats going on in your head as YOU see the photo.

[Britgirl]

ahah! should have read Myra's reply - she's doing what I do

[earlofoxford]

Myra's advice about finding your voice is perfect, and the only way to do that is by practicing. Writing well is just like another other activity: you become more proficient at it through continued practice.

[schnerbear]

i think as detail-oriented as i can (not just typical adjectives, but include whole phrases of description)...and as random as i can. think about what was amazing about the day, but also consider what was normal and 'typical'. consider including why you were doing this or that (waiting? on your way somewhere? you do this every Tuesday?) and include that.
i force myself to "write in threes" sometimes, just for the practice of thinking of more detail. (ie not "he likes to dress up like a superhero everyday" but "he IS our little superhero: he wears his homemade cape around all day, he runs at super speeds, and helps his mom-in-need with my grocery shopping and table setting.")
i practice and work to perfect my words as much as my layout.
i read and re-read journalling (or christmas letters) that i like and ask what it is that made it so fun to read.
when i get stumped, i try to think thematically and write with that underlying tone.

i LOVE journalling...its WHY i scrapbook!

[Photogirl2]

You all are so helpful. Thank You! You know what's funny, is that I'm a talker. But when it comes to putting it down on paper, my mind is a total blank, it's like the words just won't come.

I will definitely try your suggestions about describing the picture as if it were to a friend. And I will try writing it out in a notebook first, great idea!

And I too love "reading" the journaling. You all are just so talented! Thanks for being such great inspirations!

[kb7496]

Love this thread. I *hate* to journal. I mean, really detest the work involved and feel ridiculous about it. BUT, after watching my kids read what little writing I've done, I am more motivated to tell more of the story behind the page.

I love Sarah's and Myra's tips. Thanks!

[home in ottawa]

Wonderful advice all. Most of the time, I have a story in mind, sometimes I have to find a photo to go with it. Occasionally, I feel something so strongly that I just have to get it down on paper. I just write it down somewhere until I have time to go back and edit it to make it coherent. My luna moth, no ordinary day and dad's boat pages all came like that. I think that the more you write, the better you get!!!!!

[kathyInAZ]

Great suggestions here. I'm horrible at journaling. Usually, I just cannot think what to say. (Just like in person - I'm not a talker)! And so many of the pictures I do are old - I really don't remember much about them! But I'm going to try, with the help of some of these ideas! Thanks!

[HeatherPrins]

love to journal, i too feel a sense of urgency to get things down, to leave something of me for my family. Another great idea is to imagine leaving your album on a table for people to look through while you left the room. Would they know anything about the photos or would you have to be there to explain it to them? write something, even if its just the facts. The stories may come to you after a while and you will want to start telling them.

[TU_Jenn]

Sarah and Myra - thanks for the journaling tips - I too always feel like my journaling is so "fake" and not how I really am - i think one of my problems is to figure out which view point to use; e.g. do I say "you" (as in the subject of the photo/story) or "name of person" - and i end up going back and forth... same way for myself - do I write in first person/third person or what.... writing - so not my strong point! :-)

[Scrapbird]

I love to journal, but I've never really thought about the process. Thanks for such wonderful thoughts on this!

[KimR+]

I've struggled with this too!! Then one day I decided to try harder to add journaling to my pages, just so it's more than a photo with cute ellies. I wanted to really remember. At times I still skip the journaling, but I am thankful at times I take the time....and I feel as if I'm not the greatest with words, but I try!