I am currently torn between the original form of scrapbooking, with paper and ribbons and all of that stuff and the digital scrapbooking with a huge amount of layouts, textures,etc. I want to make a scrapbook or two. But I'm not sure where to start.
It won't have many photographs as such, only those desktop kind of pictures, backgrounds. I'm more into writing - poetry, phrases, quotes.
Any suggestions? Please help.

My friend, it all depends on your personal preference. I have been scrapbooking for a long time but I opt for a traditional way of compiling projects. Yes, it is messy but I get to enjoy traditional designing than the digital. But digital scrapbooks are great too. In your case since you are planning to use desktop photos for each page then digital might be best for you. :)