Birthdays: Anne Perry (1938), Evelyn Waugh (1903), Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925), John Hollander (1929), George Dangerfield (1904), Joe R. Lansdale (1951)

Tip: Some people say that all the good stories have been written. That’s not true. Your story hasn’t been told yet, so tell it, in your way, with your words.

Thought for the day: “A good poem satisfies the ear. It creates a story or picture that grabs you, informs you and entertains you.” – Ian Hamilton Hollander

Jumpstart: Five years after I left town, I returned. Nothing had changed. Nothing except me…