Birthdays: Ted Hughes (1930), V.S. Naipaul (1932)

Tip: When a writer stutters, it means that s/he has used the same major word twice within the same sentence or paragraph, or has started too many sentences or paragraphs the same way, has given all his or her characters names that start with the same letter, or has repeated the same action too many times. Look over your work. How often have you “stuttered”?

Thought for the day: “A career in letters is not without its drawbacks—chief among them the unpleasant fact that one is frequently called upon to sit down and write.” – Fran Lebowitz

Jumpstart: You’re on your way back from a trip. At the luggage kiosk, you grab what you’re sure is your bag. After all, it had that red ribbon you specifically tied to it. When you get home, you open it and find…