It's been a year since I started up this monthly "Turning to the Right" column, and it's been quite interesting.
Each month, I've been giving my opinion on subjects important to readers, from global warming to the public schools. Sometimes I've used my own experience; other times I've used research to back up my claims.
I've tried to bring as diverse of subject matter as I can to the space, all the while keeping it local so that it relates to Puget Sound readers. This is a niche audience, and one that is very intelligent.
I've written on the assumption that most of you are reading neighborhood newspapers because you get something from them that you don't feel you get from mainstream newspapers or the Internet.
VALUABLE FEEDBACK
The thing that has been most pleasing in writing this monthly column, believe it or not, hasn't been the ego boost of seeing my face in print every single month. It's actually been reading the feedback - both positive and negative - that I've received from readers.
Some have said I was a breath of fresh air, while others called me a "right-wing stooge" and other things to that effect (if you read the column, you'll see I'm really not that conservative, but no matter).
Out of all the feedback I received, I most enjoyed reading what readers had to say in reaction to my columns that focused on having high-functioning autism. Choosing to write about having the disorder wasn't easy, and I received many generous comments from friends and readers saying how brave I was to do so.
I don't view writing about it as brave, but as inevitable. Autism is not something that I can change, and my brain will always be different than most people's. Writing about having the disorder came about both to ease my own mind, and because I didn't feel like I'd be a writer worthy of being read if I wasn't honest with who I was.
I've been pleased to receive letters from parents who also have autistic children, and I hope that what I've had to say will make the incredible job of raising a special-needs child just a little easier.
MORE TO COME
Writing a column is different than blogging, where I can receive a comment from a reader within seconds. Writing a letter to a newspaper takes a whole lot more energy than typing up a blog comment, and because of that, I value any feedback I receive even more.
I know that if you took the energy to write a letter to a newspaper, my column must have really affected you - positively or negatively.
With this next year, we'll rocket into the political-campaign season, and I'll have plenty of things to say about it. More and more unexpected things will likely happen, and you can bet I'll have something to say about those developments, as well.
There will be a lot to look forward to in the next year, and at the top of the list will be listening to you, the reader.
Madison Valley resident Michael Powell can be reached at mptimes@ nwlink.com. He also has a web log at deschamps.townhall.com.
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