A friend posted this today and it made me smile:

Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don't start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a
great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.

-William Safire, from 'Great Rules of Writing'

Sinclair Lewis is one of the authors at the top of my reading list for this winter break. He won the Pulitzer for Arrowsmith in 1926, and turned it down saying, "Every compulsion is put upon writers to become safe, polite, obedient, and sterile. In protest ... I must decline the Pulitzer Prize."

Later he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1930, which he reluctantly accepted. In his Nobel speech he said, "Fortune has dealt with me rather too well. I have known little struggle, not much poverty, many generosities. Now and then I have, for my books or myself, been somewhat warmly denounced - there was one good pastor in California who upon reading my Elmer Gantry desired to lead a mob and lynch me, while another holy man in the state of Maine wondered if there was no respectable and righteous way of putting me in jail. ... But if I have now and then received such cheering brickbats, still I, who have heaved a good many bricks myself, would be fatuous not to expect a fair number in return."

What can I say, I like the guy's style.


Other quotes I found notable:

"Our American professors like their literature clear and cold and pure and very dead."

"The trouble with this country is that there are too many people going about saying, "The trouble with this country is...""

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

"Intellectually, I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country."

Some food for thought from a man I respect:

"Orthodoxy is a relaxation of the mind accompanied by a stiffening of the heart."

"Hierarchical institutions are like giant bulldozers - obedient to the whim of any fool who takes the controls."

"In a nation of sheep, one brave man forms a majority."

"The more corrupt a society, the more numerous its laws."

"Freedom begins between the ears."

A few assorted quotes from Edward Abbey (1927-1989), author, visionary, and conservationist:

"Reason has seldom failed us because it has seldom been tried."

"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government."

"One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothing can beat teamwork."

"I would give ten years off the beginning of my life to see, only once, Tyrannosaurus rex come rearing up from the elms of Central Park, a Morgan police horse screaming in its jaws. We can never have enough of nature."

After some serious scrubbing down with a fire-hose, several sponges, and a little steel wool, this journal is now squeaky clean and open for business!

This journal is a place for my photography, icons, dream logs, tarot readings, numerous types of creative writing, and miscellaneous quotes, pictures, and other such items of interest that I come across and wish to record. The bulk of my entries will be locked, but some may remain open for public enjoyment. If you are interested in taking a look around behind the velvet curtain drop me a line. Otherwise, welcome, and enjoy the outer galleries!