I have to admit, I'm not much for experimenting. I prefer to have some clear knowledge of outcomes before I try anything new - it's my inner control freak at work. And the nature of experimentation is completely antithetical to that premise (wow, was I channeling a scientist with that statement?) However, two years ago (to this day, in fact) I tried a rather bold experiment. You see, it was my birthday - my 50th birthday - and I was quite an unhappy girl. In contrast to my life at 30 and even 40, my life at 50 seemed so stagnant and dull. I was treading water, following along in the same well worn rut, just like an old grey mare.
So I decided to get out my pencils and start writing. You see, I've always loved writing, and I used to do quite a bit of it - I even had some stories and essays published once upon a time. But for many years I had been involved in other things - raising a child, running a home, working, playing music - and writing fell by the wayside.
But instead of picking up pen and paper, I sat down at my laptop and clicked onto Blogger. Why not do my writing at the computer? I thought. I could actually create my own literary kingdom, a private "newspaper," where I could "publish" without being subjected to the whims of unfriendly editors.
And so, on March 9, 2006, Becca's Byline was born - a birthday present to myself, an experimental foray into the world of cyber publishing.
Two years and 480 posts later, I'm convinced it was the best present I've ever given myself. Not only have I met scads of interesting, intelligent, creative people, whose words have inspired me in every possible way, I have fallen in love with writing all over again. I've written more in the past two years than I would have dreamed possible - why, I've even written two novels! I feel more intelligent, creative, thoughtful, and insightful than at any other time in my life. So as I continue into this second half of my century here on earth, I do so with an increased sense of excitement and satisfaction derived from this marvelous foray into the world of writing.
And to think it all began with a little experiment...
links to more experiments are shared here