Loud and Clear

With the emphasis on goal setting and resolutions, it seems that January is the perfect time of year to find yourself. While you start your new exercise regimen or take up a novel hobby, think about discovering who you are as a journaler, a writer. A strong author understands that she needs to have creative ideas, clear organization and a high level of elaboration. But the most important trait a good writer embodies is the ability to use voice in her pieces. You have a writing voice, we all do. It is as unique as you are and it is time to use it, loud and clear.

Adding voice is something that you either do naturally or you don’t. If you are worried about the so-called rules or are afraid to take a risk, your voice will not shine through. Voice shows the writer’s personality. It conveys emotions and character traits and allows the words to come to life. A piece with strong voice grabs a reader’s attention and keeps the reader captivated. Even if your voice is quiet right now, you can engage in activities to strengthen it in your journaling.

One of the most effective ways to learn about voice is to search for it within stories. The writers below told each of her stories in an individual voice. Each text sounds different because it originates from the author’s inside personality. Go ahead, read on and see what I mean.

Let’s Go by Elizabeth Carney

Supplies: Paper: Studio Calico, Cardstock: American Crafts, Flowers: Evalicious, Tag: Little Yellow Bicycle, Bling: Kaisercraft, Ribbon: Offray, Specialty Ink: Tattered Angels, Font: Century Gothic. Tools: Corner Rounder: Creative Memories, Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts.

Design Notes: This layout came together rather quickly for me. I sprayed the Glimmer Mist on and let it dry. I punched the butterflies and gathered all the elements together and placed on the page. I added the ribbon and twine lastly for the finished product.

Journaling: He is the sustainer of my life. He is the driver of my car. I am alive through him. I am sitting in the passenger seat where I belong. The Lord God is the driver of my car because he is in control. Many of times he has instructed me to get out of the driver seat and allow him to drive, moving to the backseat where I belong. Although this will be a constant burden, I know that he will drive us to the end.

Sweet Happy Girl by Ami Godfrey

Supplies: Paper: BoBunny Press, Crate Paper, My Little Shoebox, October Afternoon, Sassafras Lass, Cardstock: Paper Accents, Chipboard: Crate Paper, Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts, Sassafras Lass, Stickers: Crate Paper, Sassafras Lass, Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker, Bling: Prima Marketing, Specialty Paint: Tattered Angels, Ink: Tsukineko, Pens: Zig Writer, Distresser: Heidi Swapp, Other: lace.

Design Notes: When doing layouts about my cats in particular, I like to tuck in little details about them. For example, we call her our "little bear" from time to time, so I included the little cutout of the bear near the bottom of her picture. Also, to help me remember how old she was in this picture, I included a "9" playing card and a small "9" chipboard piece near the bottom left of the layout. I mentioned her age in my journaling, but if I hadn't, these visual clues would be helpful when looking back at this layout. This tip can be used on any LO subject. I also love to create my own embellishments. Here, I've made a fabric rosette from off-white cotton fabric, then misted it with a couple colors of Glimmer Mist to give it more interest. I also created the pebble embellishments by using Glossy Accents to adhere small circles of patterned paper to the underside of the pebble.

Journaling: Look at this girl. So content in my lap, in front of the fire. She is the oldest of our bunch, the "mother". She even mothers us when we are sad or sick. She is nine, and we love her more with each passing year. So much love for our Black Kitty, our sweet, happy girl.

Click by Gail Lindner

Supplies: Paper: My Mind's Eye, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts, Flowers: Green Tara, Tags: Making Memories, Buttons: Papertrey Ink, Bling: Finishing Touch Ideas, Kaisercraft, Ink: Versamark, Tsukineko, Thread: Guttermann, Floss: DMC, Font: Gilligan's Island, Acrylic Shape: Scrapware, Doilies: Greatest View, Other: sewing machine, edge distresser, ribbon, Digital Supplies: Brushes: Rounded Corner Frames by Rhonna Farrer (House of 3).

Design Notes: I used an untidy, disorganized font for my journaling to further strengthen the idea of the journaling being from my young daughter's child-like point of view.

Journaling: Hmmm . . . What mischief can I get into today? Oh, here's Mummy's new iPhone! How do I turn it on? I did it! I'm just going to tap the screen like I see everyone else doing. Oh look! There's a picture of me on the phone! What happens when I press this? Click. That's a fun sound! I like it! I'm going to press it again and again and again!