Coloring, Storytelling, and Zine Creation

Introduction

In the previous "Communication Edition", I explained in detail the role that coloring plays as a communication tool in nursing care facilities. This time, I would like to take a step further and talk about the practice of "creative activities" that combine coloring and storytelling, focusing in particular on the production process of the "Spinning Thoughts" series.

*The names of the characters are pseudonyms to protect their privacy.

Creating Stories

It could be said that everyone is "living a story." There is a story that has been spun through one's own life experiences, and that story shapes one's own identity. For the elderly in particular, looking back on the experiences and memories cultivated throughout their lives and sharing them with someone else has great significance.

The effects of story creation include the following points:

- Improvement of self-esteem: The joy of having one's life experiences recognized as valuable as a story
- Activation of memory: Recalling past events and putting them into words activates the brain
- Organizing emotions: By putting experiences into words, one can organize emotions and gain new perspectives
- Intergenerational exchange: A sense of fulfillment from conveying one's experiences to the younger generation

The Creative Process of the "Spinning Thoughts" Series

Our "Spinning Thoughts" series is not just a creative work, but a collection of stories born from collaboration with the users. We proceed with the production process roughly according to the following flow.

1. Storytelling Session

First, we utilize coloring time to deepen our dialogue with the users. At this time, we make the following efforts:

・Use many open-ended questions
Example: "Looking at this landscape, what kind of memories come to mind?"
・Focus on emotions
Example: "How did you feel at that time?"
・Questions that stimulate the five senses
Example: "What kind of scent was in that place?"

Through such storytelling sessions, the memories and emotions that were dormant within the users are gradually drawn out. We can also sense unspoken emotions from their choice of colors and brush strokes in coloring.

2. Collaborative Outline Creation

We organize the fragmented memories and thoughts spoken during the session and summarize them into an outline for a single story. In this process, we also incorporate the user's wishes, such as "I wish it would be like this," and creative elements.

The outline includes the protagonist's setting, the general flow of the story, and memorable episodes. This not only serves as a guide for writing a short story, but also makes it easier for the user themselves to have a concrete image of "their own story."

3. Creation of a Bulletin Board via Zine

Once the story outline is complete, we create a Zine to share it within the facility. A Zine is a small, self-published booklet, and it is characterized by being relatively easy to create.

We include the following elements in the Zine:
- Story synopsis
- Coloring works by the users
- Excerpts of conversations during the production process (with the person's permission)
- Predictions for the next development and requests for feedback from readers

By displaying this Zine in a shared space within the facility, we share the story's creation process with other users and staff, developing it into a project that involves the entire facility.

4. Writing a Short Story

After sharing and receiving feedback through the Zine, I write a short story referring to the outline born from my dialogue with the user. At this time, I keep the following points in mind:

- Respect the user's words and expressions as much as possible
- Describe concretely, being conscious of the five senses
- Value the dignity of the protagonist of the story
- Even for the creative parts, align with the user's outlook on life and values

I am not a professional writer, but I consider spinning the user's thoughts carefully to be the top priority. Therefore, I aim for a story that conveys "that person's uniqueness" rather than literary perfection.

Case Study: "The Day That Color Revives (Pseudonym Used)" Project

As a concrete example, I will introduce a project called "Spinning Thoughts 4: The Day That Color Revives (Pseudonym Used)." This project was born from a dialogue with Michiko Murai (pseudonym), who used to be active as a painter but now spends her days quietly without even holding a brush.

The Beginning of the Storytelling Session

Ayano Ishii (pseudonym), who works at the elderly nursing facility "Tsumugi no Ie," has interacted with many users in her 9 years of experience, but she had not been able to find an "entrance" to Michiko Murai (pseudonym). Michiko (pseudonym) sat on a sofa by the window, hardly moving all day, and her expression did not change. Among the staff, only stories like "She seems to have been a painter" and "She held exhibitions" were passed around.

The turning point for Ayano (pseudonym) was encountering a document titled "The Effects of Coloring on the Mind and Brain" that she happened to find in the break room. After reading that document, Ayano (pseudonym) remembered that there was a well-worn tin of colored pencils in Michiko's (pseudonym) luggage when she moved in. The name "Mitsuko" was written in small letters on the tin.

Quiet Approach

Ayano (pseudonym) did not recommend coloring directly to Michiko (pseudonym), but first, during her own break time, she started coloring in a place visible to Michiko (pseudonym). She pretended to "color just for herself without speaking to anyone," but she placed her hands at an angle visible to Michiko (pseudonym).

After continuing to color in the same place for several days, one day, Michiko (pseudonym) muttered, "I used that red a long time ago." It was a small, but decisive change.

Creating an Outline

Triggered by this murmur, Ayano (pseudonym) gradually engaged in dialogue with Michiko (pseudonym), drawing out her past memories and thoughts. Coloring pages featuring nostalgic scenery and small items from the Showa era were particularly effective in evoking memories for Michiko (pseudonym).

From the fragmented memories and thoughts gathered in this way, the following outline was completed:

1. On a Quiet Afternoon: The meeting between care worker Ayano (pseudonym) and Michiko, a former painter who spends her days expressionless.
2. Materials and Inspiration: Ayano (pseudonym) begins coloring, and Michiko murmurs, "I used that red a long time ago."
3. Memories Drawn Out by Color: Through coloring pages with nostalgic Showa-era motifs, Michiko begins to talk about her past little by little.
4. Ayano's (pseudonym) Post: Posting the coloring pages and Michiko's episodes on the facility's social media, receiving warm responses.
5. Family Reaction: Michiko's daughter, who came to visit for the first time in a while, is moved to see her mother using colors again.
6. A Small Exhibition: Setting up a small "Coloring Gallery" within the facility, inspiring other residents.
7. Beyond Coloring: Michiko takes a new step, saying, "Maybe I'll try drawing something myself next time."

Sharing via Zine

The process of this story was compiled into a simple yet heartfelt zine as the fourth issue of the "Spinning Thoughts" series. The zine included a summary of the outline, memorable quotes from Michiko (pseudonym), and episodes from the production process.

When this zine was posted in the facility's common area, it drew interest from other residents and staff, leading to comments like, "I want to try coloring too," and "I want you to listen to my memories as well."

Completion of the Short Story

Following the outline and the feedback, a short story titled "Spinning Thoughts 4: The Day Those Colors Revived" (using pseudonyms) was completed. The story carefully depicts Michiko's (pseudonym) inner world, her emotional changes, and her delicate relationship with Ayano (pseudonym). It expresses, in a quiet yet moving way, how "color" unlocks Michiko's (pseudonym) memories and emotions.

Chapter 1 begins with the beautiful description, "The afternoon light slowly filters through the lace curtains by the window and falls onto the floor," and depicts Michiko's (pseudonym) quiet figure, "looking out the window without changing her expression," and Ayano's (pseudonym) struggle of "not being able to find the entrance."

Story Development and Feedback

In the latter half of the story, it depicts how Michiko's (pseudonym) coloring pages are shared on the facility's social media and receive warm reactions, and the scene where her daughter, who came to visit after a long time, tears up at her mother's change, showing that coloring has the power to connect people beyond being just a hobby.

Ultimately, the scene where a small "Coloring Gallery" is set up in the facility, Michiko (pseudonym) proudly says, "I drew this, didn't I?" and the ending where she takes a new step by saying, "Maybe I'll try drawing something myself next time," moved the hearts of many readers.

The completed story was shared within the facility in the form of a zine and given to families who requested it. Michiko (pseudonym) herself was quietly pleased, saying, "I never thought it would become my own story."

Lessons Learned from "The Day Those Colors Revived"

Through this project, we gained the following valuable lessons:

1. The Importance of "Waiting"

Just as Ayano (pseudonym) did not directly suggest coloring to Michiko (pseudonym) but worked indirectly by coloring herself, sometimes it is more important to quietly "wait" than to take a direct approach. By respecting the other person's pace and not forcing anything, you can draw out natural reactions.

2. The Power of "Color"

As symbolized by the murmur, "I used that red a long time ago," color has a mysterious power to evoke memories and emotions. Especially for those who have been involved with color for many years, reuniting with colors has a warmth that melts a frozen heart.

3. Do Not Miss Small Changes

Just as Ayano (pseudonym) carefully caught Michiko's (pseudonym) "slight blink" and small murmurs, it is important not to miss and to cherish small changes and reactions. Sometimes, big changes begin from such small accumulations.

4. The Value of Sharing

By sharing Michiko's (pseudonym) coloring pages on social media and displaying them as a zine within the facility, individual activities created connections with many people. Michiko's (pseudonym) words, "Someone saw it, didn't they?" express the joy of being acknowledged.

Practical Tips: An Approach Learned from "The Day Those Colors Revive"

Based on the experience of this project, I would like to introduce some practical tips for combining coloring and storytelling.

1. Indirect Approach

・Instead of directly inviting someone to "color with me," first show yourself enjoying it.
・Engage in the activity naturally in a visible space to spark interest.
・Do not force it; provide a sense of security that they can "join anytime."

2. Choosing Motifs that Evoke Memories

・Nostalgic landscapes and tools from the Showa era (washbasins, washboards, black rotary phones, lamps, etc.).
・Motifs related to the person's occupation or hobbies.
・Seasonal traditions or unique local scenery.

3. Recording Methods that Value Murmurs

・Keep notes of small murmurs or changes.
・Record non-verbal reactions such as changes in facial expressions or color choices.
・Utilize these records as material for creating stories.

4. Step-by-Step Sharing Methods

・First, share among close staff members to incorporate multiple perspectives.
・Display within the facility in a small-scale format like a Zine to observe reactions.
・Share with a wider audience, such as on social media, after obtaining permission from the individual and their family.

Specific Ways to Make a Zine

The Zines in the "Spinning Thoughts" series are created following the flow below.

1. Basic Layout

・A simple booklet format made by folding A4 paper in half.
・The cover features the "Spinning Thoughts" series title and issue number.
・The inside pages include sections such as "Synopsis," "Impressive Quotes," "Behind-the-Scenes Stories," and "Next Issue Preview."
・The back cover includes a participatory corner titled "Let Us Hear Your Voice."

2. Visual Elements

・Place the users' coloring works at the center.
・Use a larger font size, prioritizing readability.
・Base the color scheme on warm tones while incorporating seasonal feelings.

3. Content Ingenuity

・Keep the "Synopsis" to about 100–300 characters so that the appeal is conveyed concisely.
・For "Impressive Quotes," use actual words spoken by the users in a quotation format.
・In "Behind-the-Scenes Stories," share the backstory of how the story was created or moving moments.
・Build anticipation for the continuation with a "Next Issue Preview."

4. Participatory Mechanisms

・Solicit feedback and requests in the "Let Us Hear Your Voice" corner.
・Prepare simple forms and create an environment where it is easy to write.
・Introduce the collected voices in the next issue of the Zine to generate dialogue.

Conclusion: The Potential for New Care Woven by Stories

As demonstrated by the 'Weaving Thoughts 4: The Day Those Colors Revive' project, creative activities that combine coloring and storytelling have the power to awaken dormant talents and memories in residents, fostering new connections.

Even those who 'spend their time quietly,' like Michiko (a pseudonym), have their own unique stories and desires to express. This project has taught us that by carefully weaving these stories together and sharing them, a warm breeze begins to blow throughout the entire facility.

'The Day Those Colors Revive (pseudonym used)' is not just about the return of a past sense of color; it is also a moment when a person's individuality and joy of living begin to shine once again.

Our journey of finally beginning to create novels will continue, cherishing the small sparks born from our dialogues with the residents. We hope that each individual's story will gradually color the entire facility, and indeed, society itself.