“Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.” – Annie ProulxI am not entirely certain if writing is something innate in me or if being an avid reader for as long as I can remember created my writing proclivity. What I do know is I enjoy putting words together creatively and strategically to evoke emotion or incite action in the reader. “Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else.” – Gloria SteinemThe only thing I could exchange writing for in Steinem’s quote is reading. Reading and writing are intrinsically part of me. I can’t do one without the other. Even when I don’t physically write something down, in my mind I am responding to what I read in my head. These responses could be rewriting for more clarity, creating an alternate direction from what is written, or questioning something—which generally leads to the third thing I would rather be doing than something else—research. Reading, writing, and research are part of my daily life. I’m honestly not happy if I am not learning something every day. For the past couple of months, I have been working on a LGBTQ-related blog based on my experience with my oldest child who identifies as non-binary and gender fluid. In order to launch the blog in June 2021 (Pride Month), as well as increase my skill set for future jobs, I have been doing extensive research and online training in SEO, social media marketing, WordPress, and LGBTQ subject matter. Before I was laid off of my last job due to Covid, I created web content that performed very well organically without this knowledge, but I feel much more confident having learned these skills, not only to increase the possibility of success for my blog, but also to give me more up-to-date marketable skills. This is how I approach any new position or project I take on—by learning new skills as necessary to be able to do my job to the best of my ability.