on the 10th day of chookooloonks ... on expressing your story

The one thing that blogging (and following blogs) almost every day for so many years has taught me is that we all have stories:  really interesting, wonderful, hysterical, touching stories.  Every one of us.   And there's something to be said for writing them down -- recording them -- for posterity.  Whether or not our words will be read by thousands, or stored in an attic somewhere, unread for hundreds of years, there's something very powerful about making experiences tangible. 

It's why I love journaling.  It's why I love photography.

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Day 10 of the 12 Days of Chookooloonks, friends.  Today, two courses that will help you immensely to tell your story.

 Photograph courtesy Jen Lee

Storyteller Jen Lee has been instrumental in teaching me how to record my own story:  it was she who first inspired me to begin journaling.  Since that time, Jen has become quite the force in the New York City storytelling scene, and she has kindly contributed her latest course, Telling Your Story, for my little giveaway.

But Jen tells it best:

Artist's statement:  Jen Lee is an independent media producer and a performer in New York City’s storytelling scene, including The Peabody Award-winning Moth Radio Hour and The Moth Podcast.  She works with emerging icons--pioneering new frontiers, crossing thresholds and stepping into greatness.

Whether we are entrepreneurs, activists or artists, we are learning more and more the importance of employing a story-based approach when communicating about our work to the world. And yet, most of us don't know where to begin, how to select the stories that really matter and pull it all together into powerful presentations. Telling Your Story was created to guide participants from all walks of life step-by-step through this essential process. 

 Telling Your Story includes:

-  3-CD set in an 8-panel digipak: Telling Your Story Sound Studio featuring Jen Lee's full audio workshop, along with extensive interviews professionally recorded with story pioneers and mentors Peter Aguero and Ophira Eisenberg.
-  125-page interactive, 3-ring bound home study curriculum with black and white photography and line drawings by artist Liz Kalloch throughout.
-  8 entryways into discovering your own formative or forgotten stories
-  60 pages of exercises to walk you step-by-step through the journey
-  24 composition pages to insert wherever you need them

Then, of course, once you're comfortable with recording your story using words, it's time to begin recording your story using images:

Image courtesy Andrea Scher

I've been a fan of Andrea's photography since we lived in Trinidad -- she has always been one of my photography inspirations.  In addition to her work being technically awesome, she is one of the most expressive photographers I know -- which is why it's so great that this year, she began offering a photography e-course.  What's even better?  She has offered a place in her upcoming course (beginning January 9th) to the winner of today's giveaway.  Score.

Here's more about Superhero Photo:

Artist's statement:  The Superhero Photo course is all about creating a new way into joy, gratitude, and appreciation. Andrea will guide you through 6 weeks of lessons, photo prompts and activities that will transform how you take photos and bring more color and magic into your life.

And of course, you'll receive a 2012 Chookooloonks desk calendar (comes packaged in a fold-out CD case), featuring 13 of my favourite images from 2011.

As always, for a chance to win these gifts, simply leave a comment below, saying whatever you'd like, before 12:00 a.m., Thursday, December 22nd, US Central Time.  Please leave only one comment.  Also, it doesn't matter where in the world you are.  I'll choose a winner at random using Random.org, and update this post when that person is chosen.

(For the duration of the 12 Days of Chookooloonks, please note that there is no guarantee that you will receive any items before Christmas.) 

Good luck!

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AND THE WINNER IS:  According to Random.org, the winner is nwillamon, who said "Oh the stories I could tell!"  Congratulations, nwillamon!  Please keep a lookout in your inbox for an email from me with instructions on what to do next.

Thanks for participating, everyone -- only 2 days left!

Song:  Put your records on by Corinne Bailey Rae