With 2025 almost here, it’s time for resolutions you’ll actually want to keep: 10 Resolutions for Editors. Resolution 1: Ask yourself this question: Are my edits making the story better or just different?

"Deliver me from writers who say the way they live doesn’t matter. I’m not sure a bad person can write a good book. If art doesn’t make us better, then what on earth is it for?" Alice Walker, born this day, 1944.

"It is impossible to discourage the real writers – they don’t give a damn what you say, they’re going to write." Sinclair Lewis, born this day, 1885.

“A writer does not own words any more than a painter owns colors. So let's dispense with this originality fetish… Look, listen and transcribe and forget about being original.” William S. Burroughs, born this day, 1914.

Academics in Spain, France and elsewhere have tried to stop the creep of English into their languages. Now it's South Korea's turn. If you love language(s), you'll enjoy this Column One by @maxsoeunkim.

President Trump ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to release water from California dams because, he said, it would help LA. Well, it didn't.

"I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter." James A. Michener, born this day.

Welcome aboard, Michael. Look forward to working with you soon.

"Writing books is the closest men ever come to childbearing." Norman Mailer, born this day.

Thank you, @BostonGlobe and @HoustonChron, for your thoughtfulness. Today's lunch at the @latimes featured pizza (sent by the Globe) and pecan pie (from the Chronicle). What a lovely way to show your support for our efforts to cover the awful wildfires. Again, thank you so much.

Anton Chekov, who was born this day, offers the classic show-don't-tell writing advice in his own way: "Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."

Thank you Tony Pierce for letting me yak about writing and editing on your podcast. It was fun to talk about craft and the newspaper I love--and to recall when Michael Connelly, of Harry Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer fame, were both on the cop beat.

Nevada's lieutenant governor said this project "truly is incredible." She was right, but not in the way she intended. @nathanfenno unspools a tale of big dreams and dashed hopes. A tale of dashed hopes, with a charismatic former NBA player as the lead.

"If I don’t write to empty my mind, I go mad." Lord Byron, born this day, 1788.

RT @alschaben: It's been a tough week of witnessing so much loss from the Palisades and Eaton fires, and keeping all affected in my prayers…

"Ideas may drift into other minds, but they do not drift my way. I have to go and fetch them. I know no work manual or mental to equal the appalling heart-breaking anguish of fetching an idea from nowhere." A.A. Milne, born this day, 1882.

The writing in this powerful Column One essay by my @latimes colleague @RaineyTime is, quite simply, beautiful. One reader commented that "the last several paragraphs were transcendent." She's right.

@Warriors507 Thank you, thank you. I hope we can continue to earn your trust and support.

I am in awe of my brave and indefatigable @latimes colleagues who are covering the L.A. fires. Their work is thorough, indispensable and compassionate.

"Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." E.L. Doctorow, born this day, 1931.

"I love the smell of book ink in the morning." Umberto Eco, born this day in 1932.