Have you ever browsed through your older scrapbooks, read a story, and thought, “I don’t remember that at all?”
When the original event happens, we think we’ll always remember it. I never bothered writing down my daughter’s first word. That’s not something a person should forget. But I did.
We all have stories that swim around in our minds, and we think, “I’m going to do a page about that.” Sometimes we do. But for every story that makes it onto paper, there are dozens that don’t.
I have a system that prevents me from losing my stories.
Step One: Have A Notebook Accessible At All Times.
I record my thoughts in three different spiral bound notebooks. These are not exclusively for scrapbook stories but are also for any noteworthy thought. Article topics, blog postings, podcast ideas, stories for my scrapbooks, a topic or book I want to look up, a sketch idea — all of these are examples of things I’ve included.
These are my notebooks:
A Medium Size Notebook With Sections And Pockets. This is my main notebook. If I have a thought while I’m home I use this one.
It has a section for my podcast ideas, a section for stories I want to scrapbook, and a section for everything else. In the last section I store directions for Photoshop techniques, information on some scientific research, or supply lists for a project.
When I go on a trip I take this notebook for journaling and use the pockets to hold loose memorabilia.
A Regular Size Graph Notebook. If this notebook is accessible, I choose it when I have a topic I want to scrapbook (not a fully developed story, but a topic) or when I need to sketch an idea for a layout. I don’t sketch very many of my layouts, but when I do, I use this graph notebook.
For example, I was recently on the treadmill listening to my iPod. The lyrics of a song inspired a layout idea. I had a picture in my mind of what types of photos to use and how to lay them across a two-page spread. I jumped off my treadmill, found my graph book, and drew it out.
Sometimes all I have is a possible title. If that’s the case, I make a page for it to remind me later.
A Small Notebook For My Purse. Many of my ideas develop while I am driving. When something triggers a memory or thought, I wait for a chance to stop and jot it down. Sometimes I arrive at my destination and, before going in, I write for a few minutes.
Whether in the doctor’s office or the grocery line, my small notebook is always available. This is a catch-all notebook. I can always transfer notes from the smaller one to the larger ones later. For now, I just need a place to put my story while it is swimming in my brain.
Step Two: Transform Your Stories Into Layouts
Periodically review your notebooks to remind yourself of the jewels inside. This is a great source of inspiration.
If you’re the organized type, perhaps get a recipe box and divide it into sections based on your albums’ subjects. For example, you could create a tab for each family member. When reviewing your notebooks, tear out the pages and put them into the recipe box, or rewrite an improved version of the story onto an index card and file it in the appropriate section. Even if you never scrapbook the stories, you have them for you and your children.
Now, let me suggest a little trick to make this work. Never put more than one story or topic on the same page. If you want to tear out a page and put it with a layout in progress, or slip it into the recipe box, you can’t have something on the other side of it.
When I have used a story on a layout, I rip it out of my notebook and toss it into the recycling bin. It is done. I love that feeling!
I recommend you start carrying notebooks with you everywhere you go. It’s a simple system, but it works.
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