Throwing off my shackles ...

It amazes me how little I write. From 1986-2003, I worked in newspapers. And from 2004, I stayed in the publishing field -- writing, editing, and fact-checking. I also maintained a comprehensive blog on religious issues (my area of expertise in the newspaper business).

For my entire career in newspapers, I was a copy editor. I closely combed articles for errors and wordiness. I smoothed and homogenized. For me, editing was a craft. Writing must be controlled, precise, and fair. It was my job to ferret out personal opinion (otherwise known as "editorializing"). And I was good at it -- quickly and accurately spewing out copy. (In the business, we call it "pushing the pig through the python.")

My own writing has always been measured and moderate. It has never reflected the real me.

As I immersed myself in the Potter community, I wanted to connect with people. And so, I turned to YouTube. And suddenly, I realized that the written word had been a strait jacket. On camera, my vibrant, exuberant, intense self exploded. I could express intense emotions -- whether happy, funny, sad, or fierce. The tone of my voice, my gestures, my facial expressions allowed me to be who I really am.

And that, I think, is why I feel such a strong need to be on camera. Let this girl run free.

Writing may appeal to me some day. But I will no longer prod, push, or poke a pig through a python. Unless I can be myself, the page will be blank.

And I like it that way.

That felt good.