Addressing the seven Elements of Digital Storytelling.

Point of view:  My story will be told from my perspective to other single mothers and to people concerned about one-parent households. I will be taking on the idea that a one-parent household is in no way bad for society or humanity and we should be seen as victors, not victims.

Dramatic question:  I am thinking of something along the lines of, “being a single mother IS the new ‘traditional’ family.”

Emotional Content:  Although being a single mother has had its tumultuous times, there are more rewards than I can count. I had a high risk pregnancy and was told I would probably not be able to “hold” my daughter to full term; I developed gestational diabetes and had to be medicated and change my diet dramatically; I was told I was high risk also because of my age; my daughter’s father left us homeless when I was 13 weeks pregnant; my daughter’s father now refuses to even prove paternity, so I receive no child support and am ok with doing this alone, with the help of great family and friends; my daughter has brought great people into our lives and pushed some bad & unnecessary people out of our lives; my daughter and I are happy together; she is my motivation to go back to school to get a Master’s and to build a better life for the two of us—we currently live in low-income housing and visit the food pantry monthly . . . and our car was stolen this week—but we will triumph, remember, we are victors, not victims; I have realized that the present is indeed a gift and no matter what financial strife I have, my daughter lights up my world with her laughter.

Soundtrack:  I would like to use a variety of tracks:  some audio of my daughter and some music that coordinates with the mood of each section of the video.

Economy: Boy, this will be a tough one for me! I tend to tell all, so keep me in line, guys!

Pacing:  I am hoping that since I am not speaking in public, I won’t come off sounding like an auctioneer (which is EXACTLY how it sounds in my head when I deliver speeches).