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Keep it as honest as possible and write it as soon as possible after the event. It it's historical photos you're scrapping, scrap your honest response to them.

I have a new rule for journaling on layouts and individual pictures - quick and simple! Get to the point - less is sometimes much more.
If I'm making a themed album, etc. then it's good to give a lil more detail ;)

Absolutely, by far, my best journaling tip is to grab a tag, or precut journaling shape, or rectangle with lines, or whatever... and pass it off. My favorite is to give it to my kids and have them write the journaling themselves.
Ok, one more. :) Took my laptop in the car on a trip and interviewed the whole family at the same time. Journaling was already typed up when I got home. That was awesome!

I would have to say that journaling is the toughest task I have in scrapbooking. The one thing that helps me is I write down things my kids say that is funny, or "noteworthy". I also try to make notes of things I want to remember regarding a trip, moment, etc. and keep all this in a notebook. Then, when it comes time to scrapbook the pics, I can refer to my book for info. The notes also help jog my memory regarding the event, etc.
Still - journaling is SO DIFFICULT for me.

Think about it first. Write it out once or twice. Get a real feel for what you want to say before you put it down on paper. When I did the layout about my fiance proposing to me, I ended up doing several drafts of the journaling before I hit on the right words, right font, and right amount of typing to make my page look attractive while still telling the complete story. It ended up taking me 10 months to find the inspiration to finally get the page done, but it was SO worth it.

I keep a week by week calendar on my nightstand and everynight I try to write something meaningfull that happened that day (event, milestone, dinner, company, etc.). I am constantly refering back to these calendars to remember dates, events, funny things when I am scrapbooking.

I Journal in my kid's scrapbooks like i'm speaking to them. I think it will be so wonderful for them to read as they grow up!

After something is said or happens I write it down immediately on a scrap of paper. I also keep a small notebook in my purse for such occasions. I kept a small journal for each of my boys when they were young. Whenever they said something cute or insightful that I wanted to remember I wrote it in their book.

On a trip, home remodeling, family vacation, etc I write down a few basic details I want to remember. The 5 w's usually work for me. I rarely write in complete sentences and usually in a word processing program (I love spell check!) Doing this helps me to remember all the important details when I'm ready to scrap the photos. It also prevents the dreaded blank page syndrome. Finally, I print out the details & store them with my photos or place a copy of the file with my digital photos. When I'm ready to scrap them all the info is in one place.

i think my best tip for journaling is just to practice it and do it daily. i know that sounds lame, but its the best trick. I've been keeping a daily journal since the first day of high school. I'm now a senior in college. Be it online in blog form or on paper in a cute little book, just DO it!

my tip is to get a blog or a journal especially if you have children.. you know you are always busy and may forget before you actually scrap it. It is so easy to go back to your blog and be like for example Bella took her first step on so and so date..It is a definite must have even if its just for you..blogger gives free account so you really have no excuse...and my family loves it..they always know what we are up too.

my tip is to get a blog or a journal especially if you have children.. you know you are always busy and may forget before you actually scrap it. It is so easy to go back to your blog and be like for example Bella took her first step on so and so date..It is a definite must have even if its just for you..blogger gives free account so you really have no excuse...and my family loves it..they always know what we are up too.

I jot down notes and lists on everything. Then when I go to journal I just read over these notes and lists first, then let the words freely flow. I don't get hung up on grammar, structure, or "rules"...just pure stream of consciousness.

Favorite journaling tip: After completing a very simple album of a trip to the Mall of America/Minnepolis, I sat down with my then 3-year-old, a mini tape recorder, and let him tell my about the pics. I wrote out what he said on each page. I also completed a summary to add in the back of the book, but it was fun to "see and hear" the story from his perspective, even years later.

My best journaling advice is just to do it. Take a piece of scrap paper and write what ever you want - once you have all the important stuff down, then go back and edit it for your page. I think a lot of people are afraid they will sound silly, and their fears will stop them from journaling.

the easiest way I find to journal is to take notes of moments that you can use when ready to scrap!!

Think about ALL five senses ... see, hear, smell, taste, touch.

My tip is to write what you feel and don't worry about it being perfect. Just say what you feel is important to say. And I think journaling in our own handwriting is so important.

What works best for me is journaling as if I'm writing to someone, whether it be to myself, my daughter or my husband. I always keep in mind this question..."What do I want to remember about this day, this picture, this event, this moment?"

When my daughter was born, she was given an undated calender with lots of stickers to attach including things like "sat up", "first word", and "doctor visit". This made it very simple for me to keep up with many important, and even not as important, facts and stories. Now, I keep a calender hanging right by the door, and I try to jot down things on a regular basis. It doesn't take a lot of time, and the writing is brief (there's not a lot of room). Then, I can quickly glance back at the different months and see what was happening!

I try to envision having a conversation with someone about the photos and journal what story I would tell them. I find that my tone is informal and brings smiles to my family. That's the best journaling I can imagine!

Keep a little notebook with you and just do it. Don't analyze it. Just write from the heart! Remember why and who you do this for!

I use MacJournal on my computer to journal. I believe you suggested it. It helps me jot things down to get back to the full story at a later date.

I write things out on a scrap piece of paper, edit, etc...before I write the "real thing".

I def keep a notebook of any kind handy with me in my camera bag. That I can remember to always jot the important memories down. I only recently started doing this, about 3 months ago. And boy I have seen a WORLD of difference in my layouts. I can really focus now on the actual memory of what was said or done, not JUST the photo. I LOVE IT!