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Writing On

Last year, I started to move away from tangled pursuits and back toward my high school sweetheart and first love: writing. I had wanted to become a journalist, because I love research and story and sharing what I love - since I could talk, I've been a question asker, and since I could write, I've been a note taker. I deeply enjoyed a four month experience as a magazine (yarn) editor, as well, and years of being first a library volunteer and then a page brought joy to my heart. I've proofed and edited books for friends on a volunteer basis, but my writing (and reading) has almost always been recreational.

But last fall I stumbled onto a journalism specialization on Coursera from Michigan State University. It was all online prerecorded videos so I could do a month's worth of class in a week if I wanted to, and I loved it. The final project was writing a real feature, and I've broken mine up to share here as small business spotlights. Brandy's posted last week, and I have more - and I'm so grateful to everyone who agreed to be interviewed! In the process, I discovered that in addition to having strong feelings about local businesses, I also really like learning more about the businesses I frequent. I'd love to do some sort of local love column, but until that becomes an actual gig, maybe I can keep sharing them here.

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