Does Your Scrapbook Have a Story Arc?

By tweaking your scrapbooks to have strong story arcs, they’ll jump off the shelf or out of the computer, fascinate your audience, and tell your family story in a compelling way. Are you ready to take your stories to the next level?

“Those who tell the stories, rule the world.” – Plato

Why is STORY so Important?

Expressive writing dates back to 10th century Japan.
Our brains think in story and don’t distinguish between a story and real life
Story brings meaning to our lives and puts things we learn into context
Story is how we gain wisdom from events that happen in our lives
Stories influence people
Life storytelling is an umbrella term that includes memoir, personal essay, songwriting, poems, scrapbook pages, and other ways of sharing your life.

“If you wish to influence an individual or a group to embrace a particular value in their lives, tell them a compelling story. – Annette Simmons, Writer

What is a Story Arc?

A story arc (contraction from “over-arching story”) is a sequence or series of installments which shows a transformation from a particular impetus. The typical 3-point story arc has an Opening, a Climax, and a Resolution.

Consider a different story arc – Nigel Watts 8-point arc:

Stasis – Everyday life. Business as usual.
Trigger – This sparks the story (positive or negative)
Quest – Seeking to get to a new situation
Surprise – Possibly multiple surprises, obstacles, pleasant events
Critical Choice – A big decision revealing personality, not a chance happening
Climax – Results of the choice
Reversal – Changes the status of the characters
Resolution – Return to a fresh “normal” situation, wiser, story complete

Tweaks to Include Story Arc in Scrapbooks

Identify recurring themes or compelling storylines in your past work
Chronological, but include ups and downs.
No one’s story is perfect, show your struggles (Marcia Fortunato)
One word (Ali Edwards)
Week in the life or day in the life
Scrapbooking your faith or other topic (Courtney Walsh)
Create a scene to invite readers in – What did you smell? What did you hear? What did you taste? What did you see? What did you touch? What did you feel (emotions)?
Pick one moment in time