Birthdays: Ben Elton (1959), Dodie Smith (1896), E.W. Howe (1853), May Sarton (1912), Niccolo Machiavelli (1469), Reza Aslan (1972)

Tip: Don’t use song lyrics in a story unless you wrote the song. Getting permissions can be difficult and expensive. Not getting permission could end in a lawsuit. Even a few lines can be problematical.

Thought for the day: “I have found that sitting in a place where you have never sat before can be inspiring – I wrote my very best poem while sitting on the hen-house.” – Dodie Smith

Jumpstart: For just one hour, you have the power of a god. What would you do? Why?