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Writer's Almanac

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The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, December 20, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Sandra Cisneros, best known for the highly acclaimed coming-of-age novel “The House on Mango Street,” celebrates her 69th birthday today!

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The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, December 19, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, December 19, 2022

Today is the birthday of French chanteuse Édith Piaf (1915). Piaf became one of the most popular performers in France during World War II. Her last words were, “Every damn thing you do in this life, you have to pay for.”

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The Writer’s Almanac for Sunday, December 18, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Sunday, December 18, 2022

It’s the birthday of Methodist hymn writer Charles Wesley, born in Epworth, England (1707). His hymns include “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” and “Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown.”

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The Writer’s Almanac for Saturday, December 17, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Saturday, December 17, 2022

The first episode of The Simpsons aired on this date in 1989. Created by Matt Groening, it’s the longest-running animated series in television history.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Friday, December 16, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Friday, December 16, 2022

On this day in 1775 a girl named Jane Austin was born. The seventh of eight children born to a clergyman and his wife, Jane Austin was to become one of the best known authors in the world.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, December 15, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, December 15, 2022

The movie Gone With the Wind opened in Atlanta on this date in 1939.he cast attended the premiere, with the notable exception of the African-American performers, who were prevented by Georgia’s Jim Crow laws from sitting next to their white co-stars.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Wednesday, December 14, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Wednesday, December 14, 2022

“It comes back to the question, whom are you writing for? Who are the readers you want? Who are the people you want to engage with the things that matter most to you? And for me, it’s people who don’t need it all spelled out because they know it, they understand it. –Amy Hempel, born on this day in 1951

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The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, December 13, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, December 13, 2022

“Sometimes there is a force of life like the spring which mysteriously takes shape without your even having asked it to take shape, and this is frightening, it is terribly frightening. … Being a poet sometimes puts you at the mercy of life, and life is not always merciful.” –James Wright, poet, born on this day in 1927.

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The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, December 12, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, December 12, 2022

Today is the birthday of Gustave Flaubert (1821), born in Rouen, France. He was a notorious perfectionist in his work, and once said, “I spent the morning putting in a comma and the afternoon removing it.”

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The Writer’s Almanac for Sunday, December 11, 2022

The Writer’s Almanac for Sunday, December 11, 2022

“Life is sentimental. Why should I be cold and hard about it? That’s the main content. The biggest thing in people’s lives is their loves and dreams and visions, you know.” — Jim Harrison, poet and novelist, born on this day in 1937.

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