writing

LOTD:

–  Great, great writing from Steve Rushin, best known for his work at SI, in this profile of the man in charge of the Boston Marathon. Rushin has a way with words, and the lead alone is worth the price of admission. Fantastic opening.

– Huh. Who would have guessed that living together first actually hurts couples who later get married? People are starting to get the idea that cohabiting doesn’t work. (Are you really going to enjoy marriage more if you’ve already had all the benefits with none of the commitment?)

– More great writing from new Pulitzer Prize winner Eli Sanders on the bravest woman in Seattle.

– Top Ten Table Tennis Shots of 2011. Unbelievable.

– And since I keep talking about great writing, here are seven tips on how to write well. My favorite is number five:

The meaning of life is all in verbs. If you emphasize verbs, you emphasize action. If you emphasize action, you have to emphasize people. If you emphasize people, you will have drama. If you have drama, you’ll have interest. And if you have interest, you’ll have the reader.

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LOTD: Coach Cal, Insults and Best Comic Strip Ever

Got a batch from the last few days:

– The Jewish team from the last post that was willing to forfeit a trip to the state semifinals rather than play on the Sabbath? Ended up getting the game time changed, played and won.

– Speaking of basketball, fantastic interview with Coach Cal. You might not like him (I didn’t until he became our coach), but he works within the NCAA system better than most.

– Need a good insult? Check out Martin Luther’s collection. The man had a way with words. One example: “You are a wolf and apostle of Satan.” Okay, one more: “We leave you to your own devices, for nothing properly suits you except hypocrisy, flattery, and lies.”

– First rule of storytelling/newsgathering? Get the name of the dog. Seriously.

– Utterly brilliant analysis of the best comic strip of all time, Calvin and Hobbes.