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Journaling First
Do you ever write your journaling for a scrapbook page first, then design the layout? Honestly, I hadn't really considered it until recently. Then, I was challenged to do a project that involves journaling first. It was an exciting and fun experience. Here's a journaling challenge. Next time you want to scrapbook, don't get out the paper or the embellishments. Instead ask yourself the following question: What do I want to say? Sit down and really think about it. Think about a story you want to tell. Think about the people in your life and what they do or what they mean to you. Think about your own life and what you like to do, and what makes you happy or sad. When you have something, write about it. Keep those papers and embellishments out of sight. Get a pen or a computer instead. Now, write it down. Start with a rough draft. Just let the ideas flow. It can be hard, but don't worry about the grammar, spelling or font. Just write. At this point you can tweak it. When you feel good about it (and it doesn't have to even be 100% yet) move on the remainder of the scrapbook process. The steps for journaling first include: - Choose a topic. You can even do this while lying in bed or standing in line at the grocery store.
- Create a rough sketch of your journaling idea. Don't focus on perfection; just get it written down.
- Tweak your journaling. Tell your story and have fun doing it.
- Scrap it! Emphasis the story if it is particularly important. No photograph of the topic? Take a photograph now, use a generic photo or go without a photograph.
Why journal first? Consider the following benefits of journaling first: - Allows you to chose random subjects without worrying about accompanying photographs or embellishments.
- Keeps your pages fresh.
- Provides layout variety. Instead of just reporting on the holidays and special events, you get a slice of life as well.
- Gives you writing practice. No one becomes a better writer without writing. The more you journal, the better you get. It's as simple as that.
- Frees your journaling from being limited to a space (box or otherwise) available on the page. Use the journaling-first attitude to tell as much as you want.
- Reminds you of all the fun, interesting and dramatic things happening in your life. It inspires you to create more and more stories.
- Eliminates the rush-at-the-end-style of journaling. Instead the journaling becomes the springboard for the layout.
- Makes you more likely to include your thoughts and feelings on subjects that are truly near and dear to your heart.
Journaling first does not mean always starting completely from scratch. When journaling first, consider other sources for your journaling including the following:
- Text-based projects including reports, surveys, recommendations, and evaluations. Take these items, tweak them for journaling on a layout then design the layout. Don't feel like you have to keep the original text in its original form. In "Metamorphosis," I used the words on a paper my daughter filled out in class, then created the layout by printing it on cardstock.
- Poems, songs, quotes or other creative text. Design the text then create the layout.
- Personal correspondences such as e-mail, message board notes, blog text or a personal journal. On a message board, I explained the story of my dog's health issues. When I chose to do a layout on the topic, I went back to the message board and copied the text for my layout. It provided a fresh and honest look for my layout.
Take a break and create your journaling first. You will find new inspiration and journaling opportunities in the process.
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