Assignment 8: SIDEKICK or COSTUME

Two choices for you this week, both are descriptive in nature:

SIDEKICK - Is there someone who is your Superhero's partner in saving the planet? Their "partner in crime" who always seems to be present for their greatest adventures? If so, then it's time to record one of their epic exploits or tell the story about how they met, or simply compare their personalities.

COSTUME - This could be a fun topic for that certain someone known to have a favourite outfit. I babysat a little boy that wore his batman costume everyday. EVERYDAY. He would weep when it had to be washed. Does your superhero have a favourite pair shirt that seems to find it's way into every photo? Do they wear pajama's all day long? Maybe there is a favourite outfit hanging in the closet that they refuse to part with. Whatever it is, it's time to tell the tale, share the photo and admit that every Superhero must have a costume.

Assignment 7: NEMESIS

Every Superhero has a Nemesis. The Nemesis always seems to thwart our Superhero's best efforts, or in the case of our journal, the Nemesis may not be a person, but a challenge that our Superhero faces.

At the heart of any story lies conflict. There is something that a character faces that makes the journey more meaningful, gives the story heart and has the reader cheering them on. Bad things must happen to our characters. Why? Because it gives them dimension, and it's our faults that often make us likable.

The same principle holds true in our scrapbooking. We need to share our challenges, along with our triumphs, because often there is more to be learned from our mistakes than our victories. Now I'm not advocating pages that read, "Marty was a royal pain in the arse today", because that somehow defeats the purpose, but it's okay to share stories that didn't end the way you wanted. It's alright to notice a challenge faced by your loved one, explore it and share your perspective on the situation, even if you have no answers to offer.

So identify your Superhero's Nemesis, explore it, and record it in a way that builds rather than dissects. Remember this is a love letter to our Superhero, and the purpose of this exercise is to shine your unique perspective on something that seems like a challenge through our loved ones eyes.

Assignment 6: THE FAN LETTER

Writing letters has been a powerful communication tool for thousands of years, and adding a letter to your scrapbooking projects can often provide a direct, sincere voice to your project that nothing else could. A fan letter lets the writer gush. It can allow you to take on a crazier persona of yourself; using flattery outrageously. It often makes the recipient feel embarrassed over the adoring praise or perhaps make their head a bit too inflated for the families liking. Regardless, I hope we can all agree that getting fan mail is cool, but writing fan mail is over the top. It could happen! ;)

Some thoughts:

Is this fan letter from you?

Maybe you would rather use a fictional character, or perhaps writing a
fan letter to your superhero as penned by one of your superhero's
favourite superstars. Think outside the box, and
let it happen. Try a couple drafts and then maybe pull ideas from both!

Assignment 5: SECRET LAIR

Is there a space you associate with your superhero? Are they always outside in the garden? Snooping through the fridge or kitchen in search of their favourite energy source? In their bedroom with the music blaring, or perhaps in another room of the house that they seem to love above all others. Does your superhero have an interesting place of work or are they always in their car enroute to this place and that...maybe they shop at a certain store so much that the clerks are on the Christmas Card list. Whatever or wherever it is, sharing the 'secret lair' of your superhero may add just the right touch to your project.

Once you've identified the secret lair of your superhero, it's time to write about it. Here's my advice...write about the 'secret lair' as though you are writing an expose for your favourite home magazine. In fact, for research purposes, I think you should sit down with a great home design magazine and read a few articles. Articles on famous celebs and their hideaway's are a great place to gleam some ideas. Hint: InStyle magazine always throws a couple of these type of articles at the back of each issue. Mimicing the style of one of these articles, might be just the creative edge you are looking for.

Some other thoughts and questions to keep in mind: What do you see when you walk in the room? The artwork...did they chose it, make it, inherit it? Maybe their decorating choices are classic for their horoscope sign...Pisces like water, etc...Is the space a calming retreat or a den where crazy energy thrives? Does your superhero like wide open spaces or would they rather be in a cozy room filled with their favourite things?

Happy journaling!

Half Time

Taking the week off...I will have the final four topics starting the first Monday in August. Hope you are having a wonderful summer. Here's a thought...

I think the very nature of scrapbooking is giving. We are giving ourselves the time to notice things. We are giving our history a voice. We are giving of our talent, our time, our creative spirit. Writing is no different. Art and writing point us somewhere. It shows those we love what we truly believe.

Assignment 4: SUPERHERO SAYS

Documenting snippets of conversation is a powerful tool in journaling. This will give your little project a true reference to your loved ones voice. Don't rush this one...be watchful, ask questions and soon you will find something worthy of that mad dash to some paper to record it, before you forget!

There are a few different ways you could go about gathering a conversation to record. You could interview your superhero, asking questions related to your theme. You could quote something they often say and add your own thoughts and insights along with their direct quote. You could also just quietly observe them over the week, gathering tidbits of conversations and things they have said that create a full picture of what they are like right now.

Present the conversation in your mini book, as though you are writing a script. You can add descriptives in brackets if it adds to your story and helps communicate your message more clearly. A future assignment will be writing about your superhero's sidekick...maybe a conversation between the two of them would add something special to your book, remember this book is a love letter to someone unique and precious to you. Keep that in mind as you document what your superhero says.

Assignment 3: Secret Identity

To the world your superhero may go unnoticed. How does the world view your superhero? What are they missing, as casual observers of this individual? What things might you know about your superhero that would surprise others? What talents do they have? What career choices have they made or can you envision them making?

In preparation for this assignment you might want to come up with some descriptive words that describe your superhero. Challenge yourself by not choosing obvious words, words that you always use when describing your character. We are wanting to bridge new territory here, we want to cast a light on parts of your superhero that may seem almost surprising to others but true to you. Drop these descriptive words into your writing block on your character's secret identity.