The Web Frontier

I attended a panel discussion on web journalism at the University of Tennessee Thursday. The panelists were young, ambitious, smart, inspiring and a little intimidating. They're staking a claim in the web frontier both personally and professionally.

They challenged me to do the same. Jump in, they said, even if you're not sure what you're doing. Passion shines through clearly in any format.

As a print-on-paper person, I've hesitated to throw my thoughts out into such a dynamic format. But as my friend Bob Stepno would tell me, all I've written on paper is likely to show up online sooner or later anyway -- good and bad.

As a confirmed and comfortable introvert, I'm cautious about opening myself up the greater world. But as I see in my friend and mentor, Paul Ashdown, being open and available can change lives for the good, and can have its own rewards.

As a journalist, I've hesitated to write anything original using the word "I." As my friend and mentor, Jim Stovall, would say, Journalists are modest. They don't call attention to themselves in their writing. But not all writing is reporting.

As a bona-fide perfectionist, I'm hesitant to start anything that might not be as perfect as I'd like. But as my husband, Jeff Gary, would say, Sometimes you just have to get started. There's a lot to be said for just getting something done.

So, like my pioneer ancestors before me, I plunge into a new frontier, trusting I can make my way in the wilderness.