William Safire, R.I.P.

Speechwriter, author and famous New York Times columnist William Safire has just died of pancreatic cancer.

I don't always agree with Safire's politics, but I've always found his writings to be intriguing and worth the read (not to mention rib-ticklin' when he got going with alliterations)

In memory of Safire, here's my favorite "Rules for Writers," from the man who came up with such gems as "nattering nabobs of negativism" and "hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history":

• 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.

William Safire, R.I.P.

Link: NY Times Obit