So I’ve been working on this letters project for #digiwrimo. I haven’t shared much about it publicly…because…well, I don’t know… it’s emotionally overwhelming; I don’t know if it will result in anything; it’s a little embarrassing; I’m not sure how much I want to share. (I’m a fairly private person.)
The general idea of this is to do something with the boxes of letters Brad and I wrote each other while I was in Africa. Maybe a new series of postcards, maybe a mini-documentary, maybe something else. I’m not sure.
Then I shared something on FB this weekend and got such a warm response that I was encouraged.
I’ve been loosely following the digiwrimo suggestions, starting with some written words, then taking some pictures.
Today, I worked on some audio.
Audio clip 2
Audio clip 1
Audio clip 3
Audio clip 4
Audio clip 5
I don’t know where all this will end up, but this is where I am for now. Stay tuned.
a personal journey indeed. Snail mail from here might take 3 weeks so I will write here briefly in a form I enjoy.
Each time I shift
Boxes packed
I hesitate…
When I come to
Those letters,
old diaries
Memories.
We know not
How these memories
Will fit into future
What form they will take
But we need them
To shape
Who we are.
Fascinating project. I’d love to hear more.
You’ve got a wonderful voice to listen to. Even this text now would make a great voice over over some video of your pictures from then and some Kenn Burns movements over your letters.
As to the privacy aspect of the web.
Think well of what you’ll share out in the open and what not.
Maybe you could use your project notes, recordings as the source of a story. A story not completely autobiographic per se, but using a lot of autobiographic elements that come up during this journey.
You write this story but you could also tell it, use audio and music.
The title could “Out to Africa”
😉
Bottom line: I love it thus far but take care as to what you share openly and what you keep to yourself.
Ron, thanks for your comments on my post.
I especially appreciate your comments on the recordings. As I’m sure you can imagine, this is not easy to share. (Everyone hates their own voice, huh?) Your thoughts about possibly using this as voice over with images match my own. For now, I’m trying to not think too much about where this is going, but just to flow with it for now. (I’ve also thought a bit about a memoir-ish but fictionalized version though I’m not sure about that.)
I also deeply appreciate your thoughts on not sharing too much. Curious if you think I already have? (Rhetorical question…I know only I can know that.) I’m not sure, but I’m carefully thinking it over and talking with Brad about it as I go. He’s good counsel on this and also has a sense of privacy. He actually suggested going ahead with this post.
As you might imagine, there’s lots more I didn’t post. In fact, I’m going out to the fire ring right now to burn some things that I wouldn’t want found if I should meet an untimely end in near future. 🙂
Couple of typos above, but I hope it’ll make sense nonetheless.
Karen, this is a magnificent work in progress. The fact you are taking on the challenge gives you a big gold star in my book. About sharing… as you note, you will “know” what is appropriate to share with others, and undoubtedly will discover different levels of sharing with different audiences. I am honored to have a peek in the door.