ONE YEAR LATER

BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted August 16, 2005)

Exactly one year ago today I started writing these little website essays.

Obviously I didn't know who would read them.... what kind of reaction I'd get.... or even what I'd be writing about.

To quote American author E. L. Doctorow; "Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go."
Of course, Doctorow also said; "Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia."
Hmmmm.

Anyhow, this little blog has quickly become one of my favorite activities.
Writing about life, family, friends and career.... about likes and dislikes.... and abstract "thoughts and observations" on mostly pleasant things, is therapeutic and enjoyable.

But the best -- and I must admit, unexpected -- payoff is the response from readers.
It's nice to know you're out there.

As Andy Rooney once said -- and this is a paraphrase -- "I'd rather have 100 people read what I write, than to be watched on TV by millions."
I'm not sure the bosses here at Channel 4 would agree with that sentiment, but I do understand what Andy means.

A couple of teachers emailed that they read my essay titled THOSE THREE LITTLE WORDS to their students.
That meant a lot to me.

I was informed that a DJ on WAMB Radio read on the air -- in its entirety -- A PASSING VOICE IN THE NIGHT.

Dozens of people said my little story about WIGGLES reminded them of their own dog.
Then I got to read about their pets.

Thanks to all of you who take time to read these lines, and to send along comments.
I may not be able to respond to every email that comes in.... but be assured, I read every one.

Thanks to WSMV website manager Scott Sutton, who does all the technical stuff, posting what I write....

And thanks to Larry Brinton and Demetria Kalodimos for each posting an essay here 2 weeks ago while I was attending my daughter's wedding in Bermuda.

Now, I'll try for one more year..... though I still don't know what I'll be writing about.

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