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A handful of stones

"I love the fashionable power bracelets and wear them all the time. I am fascinated by the stones, colours, translucency and the way they feel against my skin. As a child I shunned dolls but would sometimes fall asleep, my hand still clutching the rocks and pebbles I had gathered like a magpie during the day. I loved the way they caught the light and how they sparkled when they were wet. My father began to share my interest, encouraging me to take a geological hammer on our picnics. Sometimes we went somewhere special: the Peak District to search out specimens of Blue John or Lime Regis for the fossils. I wanted to be Mary Annie and discover a dinosaur but I was content too with the thrill of finding a rock with the right feel, rounded and heavy that we would split to reveal its hidden secrets.

I had my favourite rocks: a big dumbbell shape of Mica that my hand fitted perfectly, Iron Pyrites, the fools' gold that is so alluring, Galena, the crystalline form of lead, heavy and gun metal shiny. I delighted in the exotic names: Jasper, Amethyst, Obsidian, Lapis Lasuli and recited them like a mantra.

In 1995 my father died so suddenly that I still feel the shock of the loss. I have inherited the rock collection, including the specimens he kept on his desk at work and the jade beads he bought for my mother, each one harbours a story. Some people believe that the stones in power bracelets have properties that can influence your life. I remain sceptical but they do have a power - the keep me in continuing awe at the amazing diversity of the natural world and they give me a direct connection to my father. These days it is my husband who lets me fill his pockets with rocks and pebbles as we walk.

(Whispers) Jasper, Amethyst, Obsidian, Lapis Lasuli, Galena, Onyx ..."

What attracted you to the workshops?
When I first heard about the Capture Wales project I was intrigued. Although I have little experience of computers beyond basic PC work, I soon realised the powerful potential of digital storytelling in the context of community arts and I was eager to learn more.

Did you have any doubts?
It would be true to say that I have a deep suspicion of anything to do with television, even in the guise of a digital storytelling project. I have difficulty in believing that it is an honest medium, and that the priority is to create "good TV" rather than depict events truthfully. I wondered how I would react when I had complete editorial control over my own digital story. Would I tell the truth or would my lies seem more creative?

What's your story about?
Originally, I had no intention of writing about rocks. I had gathered together a huge amount of source material for a completely different story. However, when I came to write, the pen took over and I ended up exploring my obsession with geology. Actually, that's one of my creative lies ... I think the story is really about my relationship with my father. That's one of the quirks of digital storytelling - it can take you in directions that you hadn't even considered.

Are you happy with your final choice?
Yes, I'm glad now that I chose to write about the rocks - if only to see the expression on everyone's faces when I revealed my source material to be just three photos, a bag of power bracelets and a huge crate full of great lumps of rock! "Try getting this lot in the scanner", I thought!

Your comments

"Very good story! I was impressed by your delivery of the narration; it went very well with the music you chose for the piece. The animation of the split rock was also well put together. As a youth I occasionally went rock hunting, but sadly never found anything more interesting than Quartz or Granite." Kevin, Ontario, Canada.

" I enjoyed the story because it was so 'true' and 'real'. I thought of the times I went 'bushwhacking' by car back in the 50's and 60's with some friends - one of whom was a metallurgist, who was able to identify some rocks for me. This was in Zambia, Malawi, the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Unfortunately, it is no longer safe to travel these roads now." Tom, Swieqi, Malta.