I have another new tool that I’m using to broaden my horizons and that is Wikipedia. For the past week I have been reading the daily featured article on the English version of Wikipedia and even took a look at some of the linked articles from those as well. Because it’s a completely different topic every day, I've learned a little bit about the Nauru reed warbler, the Exhumation and reburial of Richard III and the D'Oliveira affair. I have to be honest and admit that I didn't know the first thing about any of these items. I knew who Richard III was and I've heard of the island nation of Nauru, but these specifics were brand new to me.
They may seem like silly facts and not worth much, but they are beginning to inform my writing. I have stories bumping around in my head now that have bits and pieces of the information I’m picking up in these articles, pieces that I would not have in my head without reading these articles.
I encourage everyone to try and learn something every day. Even if it’s something small, it could come in handy down the road.