Seeing the Edge with NW Marketing Guy - Rod Brooks

But there’s something I haven’t told you – until now.

Abby has become a very talented writer. Even better, she’s discovered a part of herself that is fueling a passion that has disrupted the status quo and caused others to take notice.

Last summer, Abby began writing a column for The Daily Evergreen. With each submission her talent shined through a little more clearly. By the time school started in the fall, Abby had grown comfortable with her style and the pressures of deadlines. She felt she was ready to commit to a weekly column and she had an idea to pitch to the editors. Abby would revive the “Dear Abby” column and answer letters from students seeking advice on sex and relationships. To say I was a little surprised when she told me would be an understatement. A dad doesn’t really want to know how their 20-year-old daughter would be qualified to answer those questions. There are some things that you don’t learn by reading a book… if you catch my drift.

Fast forward several months and Abby’s advice column has taken new dimension. Her byline now reads, “by Abby Student – Evergreen sex and relationship columnist.” The topics she covers would make Dr. Ruth proud… or blush! I’m almost afraid to look each week – but I do. And then I become proud all over again. I won’t go into detail – this blog is still rated PG – but here are a handful of headlines to peak your curiosity:

• Hookups and hangups keep relationships at bay
• Connecting ink to kink
• Some don’t have a choice when it comes to wanting sex

Three columns that brought my fatherly pride to the point of an unveiling were published in the last few weeks:

• Ladies need to take a stand, demand gentlemen show face
• More than just a scarlet letter

After Abby wrote about the increasing number of American’s who are “exploring the road less traveled,” (read the story if you need to ask about the road), one reader felt the need to post a comment that she was “ashamed for her (Abby’s) parents.” Oh how wrong that reader was. I couldn’t be more proud.

Today, Abby and two other college columnists from around the country were featured on a panel interview called “On Campus: Let’s Talk About Sex” conducted by Huffington Post. I logged in and watched and listened. Abby knew I was there. And it was all good.

  

In addition to her newspaper column and interviews, Abby also cohosts a late night call in show on KUGR radio. She’s gaining experience, confidence and as a close friend told me tonight, moxie. Look it up… Moxie: 1) vigor, 2) courage and aggressiveness; nerve, 3) skill; know-how. Yep! That’s my girl. That our “Dear Abby.”