Birthdays: Cicero (106 BC), John Fletcher (1886), J.R.R. Tolkien (1892), Carolyn Haywood (1898), Erik Larson (1954), Patricia Lee Gauch (1934), Alex Wheatle (1963), Charles Yu (1976).

Erik Larson won the 2004 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime for “The Devil in the White City”.

John Gould Fletcher won the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for “Selected Poems”

Quote: “Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

Tip: Figure out what you want to write and learn the craft. This doesn’t mean read one book on writing. You need to read dozens – and understand them. Go to websites and study them. Take classes. Writing is a craft that can be learned so put the time in and learn it.

Jumpstart: Write about a place you’ve never lived. For instance, if you’ve lived all your life in the north, you know January means snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Describe a month in the Deep South or a tropical island. If you’re from the south, write about those frozen northern climes.