castle-anon asked: In 4x12 „Dial M For Mayor“ Castle says to Alexis: „Go for a little life experience.“ What does 'life experience' mean to you – would it be a big adventure like bungee jumping or just to live life as good as possible? What did you already do to experience your life? What do you plan on doing / what would you like to do to truly experience your life?

To me experience is all about getting out and trying new things, seeing new places, meeting different people. I think it’s all about variety, and maybe straying a little bit outside your comfort zone (because you never know what’s out there). And if you try something new and like it, fantastic; if you don’t like it, now you know (so, also fantastic).

If you’ve already had one experience, why not have another? Getting stuck in a loop indefinitely wouldn’t be a benefit to anyone, I don’t imagine.

I think the decision to go to grad school is a big part of me trying to “experience” life. It was kind of a big deal (and a little bit scary), deciding to quit my job and throw myself into this, to put all of myself into furthering my education and becoming a better writer. It hasn’t been all amazing all the time, but I’m learning a lot (both in general and about myself) and while I know it won’t be easy, it’ll definitely be worth it.

Someday, when I’m all graduated and successfully publishing books and stories, I’d like to travel the world (cliche, I know) and see as much as I can possibly see and be open to even more new experiences (which, I think, is a driving force behind creativity and a writer’s inspiration anyway).

Thanks, castle-anon, for such a great question!