Note To Self:

William Safire's Rules for Writers:

* Remember to never split an infinitive.

* The passive voice should never be used.

* Do not put statements in the negative form.

* Verbs have to agree with their subjects.

* Proofread carefully to see if you words out.

* If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal of repetition can be by rereading and editing.

* A writer must not shift your point of view.

* And don't start a sentence with a conjunction. (Remember, too, a preposition is a terrible word to end a sentence with.)

* Don't overuse exclamation marks!!

* Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.

* Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.

* If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.

* Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.

* Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.

* Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.

* Always pick on the correct idiom.

* The adverb always follows the verb.

* Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague; seek viable alternatives.