Wednesday, April 27, 2016

A Writer's Scrapbook by Tina Cho

If you have kids, sometime along the way you've probably made a scrapbook, photo album, or somehow documented your child's growth. I was into scrapbooking big time while in the states. 

But now that I'm also a writer, I have another baby--my writing! I have given birth to many stories that need to be showcased and documented. I don't want them to be forgotten.

I have written for magazines, online e-zines, newsletters, and devotionals to name a few. Having a writer's scrapbook is a good way to collect all these in one place.


I also like to include inspiring quotes and verses, letters and notes from friends and critique partners that inspire. When I have the writerly blues, I can dig this scrapbook out and feel encouraged.


My writer's notebook came about from a writing meeting in California that I used to attend. The author speaker, Marilyn Cram Donahue, said she included ideas for stories, inspiring notes, and published works that fit. So I bought a fun binder notebook and plastic sleeves. My scrapbook remained empty for a while until I started getting published here and there. Now it won't even close. 


Reasons to have a writer's scrapbook:

1. It's a safe place to collect all your published stories.

2. It's an inspirational haven for when you're down-in-the-dumps. 

3. It's a story of your writing journey.

4. It's fun for family and friends to look through.

5. When you do an author's visit and need to find your work to show, you know exactly where to find it!

What do you do with your published works? Share your organization system with us!

24 comments:

  1. LOVE this! I have a scrap book too, as well as a special book shelf for published works. Great post, Tina.

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    1. Thanks, Laura. Ah, a special book shelf is ideal. Thanks for sharing that.

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  2. Great idea, Tina. I will keep this in mind when I am finally published. ;-)

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    1. But Jarm, you HAVE been published in magazines like me. You can start with those!

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  3. I have a special shelf and a box for articles. I like the scrapbook idea because it is attractive and shareable.

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    1. Thanks, Jane. Hmm, sounds like I need a shelf.

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  4. A wonderful idea, Tina. I started out using a binder with plastic sleeves and kept a copy of each magazine I was in, but that soon got too cumbersome. I like your idea better.

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    1. Thanks, Ev. And you have LOTS of articles!

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  5. Tina:
    In addition to a writer's notebook, my students were encouraged to keep a collection of final published writing pieces. We created these special books using colored paper and binding combs. Illustrations, mementos and ephemera were included. The kids always enjoyed sitting in the author's chair and reading their creations.

    Thank you, Tina, for reminding me that I must create my own writer's scrapbook.
    ~Suzy

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    1. Great idea! Yes, my daughter's teacher did that for her in 2nd grade. A lot of work!

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  6. Great post Tina. I used to do scrap books with the nephews and niece when they came to stay of their visits with us to take home. I have got two binders with copies of my first few drafts of my stories. It will be fun to look back on once they are published to see how far they have come. :)

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    1. That's a great idea, Diane! To add first and final drafts.

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  7. I have a box, but I will be clearing a shelf. I like this idea!

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  8. What a wonderful idea, Tina! I don't have time to make a "scrapbook," but keeping the inspirational stuff in one place like a binder is a great idea. Right now I have it all over the place- folder, email archive, and who knows where.

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  9. I did this to document my teaching and art activities - hadn't thought about doing it for my writing. Great idea

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  10. Yep, I have books on the shelves and a binder full of clips. Somewhere along the line, I quit saving clips but I think it's really important to have them when we first start out. Nothing would make me feel better after a rejection like a flip through my binder of successes! :-)

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  11. I do remember parts of this post when you shared it last. And it's so great to see you refurbishing older posts. That's a great idea. It would be fun to share my first posts which will be five-years-old in June. My how time flies.

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  12. Appreciations, Tina. I wish I were at this stage, but I do keep lotsa stuff about each project/book. Yours looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
    Happy MOthers Day weekend!

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