:REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Your Words, Your Story by Michele Skinner [CONTEST CLOSED]

There was one thing that was instantly obvious to me about Your Words, Your Story: Add Meaningful Journaling To Your Layouts by Michele Skinner - there are A LOT of words in this book!!

And why wouldn't there be? It is about journaling after all.

It definitely took me a little longer to finish this book as compared to other scrapbooking idea books as not only was there generally more editorial content by the author, but it was also easy to see that specific care was taken to make sure that the journaling of EACH AND EVERY LAYOUT IN THIS BOOK was readable!

This is often not the case in many idea books. The focus is put on the 'eye-candy' aspect and not on the actual words on the page and it is often way to small to read.

In this book, Skinner gives us the best of both worlds - eye-candy and wonderful stories - and I read every single one!

Throughout the book, Skinner places a lot of emphasis on finding our authentic voice and using it in our journaling. She defines authentic voice as "the voice we use when we are being 100% ourselves, without fear or reservation."

The book is broken out into two parts - each with five sections.

PART ONE: Your Words: Find Them!

• Using Your Own Words
• Inform vs. Observe
• Get Some Help From Others
• Just Do It
• Overcoming Obstacles

Part One focuses on ways to find existing examples of our authentic voice and follow that lead in future journaling. It also recognizes that it is key to be able to recognize and use outside inspirations (such as quotes, song lyrics, etc.) as jumping off points for our own journaling.

Skinner also offers tips for how to recording journaling even when we are away from the scrap table and reminds us to stop putting so much pressure on ourselves to perfect.

PART TWO: Your Story: Use It!

• Emotion
• The Long & the Short of It
• The Anit-Paragraph
• Terminal Audience
• Genre

Part two offers ideas for going beyond the narrative, using journaling as a design element, emoting emotion and more through a variety of journaling techniques.

There are two quotes included in this chapter that I would like to share with you as I feel that they give a really good glimpse at the 'flavor' of the section:

"Whatever you choose to do with your words, remember that you are the author of your own story. What you decide to write and how you decide to write it are completely up to you. Just write; that's all I ask."

"The point of journaling is to tell your story. The fun of journaling is to play with those stories any way you see fit."

ALSO INCLUDED: 10 Problem Solved pages
Each of these pages present a journaling-related problem or question that many scrapbookers may face. Skinner addresses the problem with helpful techniques and guidance to solve the question along with a layout example.

Now, as I said, there are a lot of words in this book.

However, don't think for a minute that it's short on examples! There are 122 layouts featured on the pages of this book by Skinner herself as well as 7 other well-known and talented scrapbook artists including Catherine Feegel-Erhardt, Nisa Finn, Nicole Harper, Crystal Jeffery Rieger, Katrina Simek, Sandra Stephens, and Sue Thomas.

In the end, I think EVERY scrapbooker has something they could take away from this book. Whether journaling is already a key component of your scrapbooking or you've been a little standoffish, I would encourage you to check out this book!

WANT TO READ MORE OR PURCHASE?
Visit the Your Words, Your Story page at Amazon.com. You can also read more of my reviews for other recommendations.

GIVEAWAY:
I have one copy of Your Words, Your Story to give away to one lucky reader!!

To enter, submit your vote in the poll below and then leave a comment sharing a little more about your relationship with journaling along with the following information so that I can contact you if you win! (US residents only please...international shipping is just a little too steep for my budget right now.)

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Leave your comment by Thursday, February 12th, 2009, 11:59 PM (CST) in order to be considered to win. I will announce and contact the random winner via email on Friday.

Upcoming Review & Giveaway:
When Life Gives You Lemons: Turning Sour Photos Into Sweet Scrapbook Layouts by Sherry Steveson.