I created a Twitter account today. I know, I know ... I said I considered this social media format definitely lacking in the "social" (engagement) aspect. But I'm experimenting with it as part of a digital class with my fave designer, Cathy Zielske. The class is called Everyone Can Write a Little, and involves microblogging to capture everyday stories.
After viewing Week One's video, I'm glad I caved. While I'm pretty good at creating albums and layouts to capture the "big events" (think: vacations, birthdays, holidays, etc.), I realize I'm missing out on recording the part of life I love best ... the everyday stuff that makes me laugh, makes me cry, pisses me off and entertains me. I specifically love the ironic or cynical, and let's face it, one won't generally find that in an album about one's grandchild losing their first tooth.
So, our task this first week is to make our album and start posting on either Facebook or Twitter. Our album will house our designs as we make our way through this four-week class. I am pretty happy with the way mine turned out.
Here's the front cover. It's too small to see clearly, but I revised the cover wrap design to include my name and the title (capturing my authentic life) and subtitle (Microblogging on Twitter).
Here's the inside front cover. Again, I personalized mine with key thoughts from our first week's handout, including the concept of stop, drop and write in order to capture tidbits about what we see, what we hear and letting it all out:
One thing I'm really liking about Twitter is the 140 character limit. We writers know the importance of writing tight - hell, it's the hardest thing in the world for someone like me who loves telling stories - but the technique really makes you focus on what you're trying to say. And in my mind, that can only improve one's writing.
Ok, so here's my favorite Tweet of the day. And if you're reading, Scott, it isn't that I necessarily MEANT to hide the box from you. It's that I know you don't really like them ... ahem ....
Decided to forego cleaning out my closet in the hope of losing a few more lbs before trying on clothes. Then ate two Krispy Kremes (sigh).
Sorry, Twitter friends. My account is a private one. (Thanks, Colleen, for helping me with that setting.) I just can't bear the thought of my random little thoughts floating out in cyberspace where others not familiar with my creative side may find them and make judgment about my not being serious in my Twits ... I mean, Tweets. (Just couldn't resist - ha!)
