Celebrating the Fourth

 

When celebrating the Fourth of July, we often forget the simple freedoms that liberty offers to writers. Instead of distributing our witticisms via underground newspapers, anyone can write anything and post it on a blog, like this one. Instead of enduring government control over what we write about, we can pen original or inspiring thoughts on a plethora of subjects freely, whenever and however we wish. Critics used to control what was published through ruthless editing. Today, there is so little editing that the hunger for a few cleansing edits, here and there, is almost universally acknowledged.

Here are a few quotes on the writing freedom we now enjoy:

"If they give you ruled paper, write the other way."

Ray Bradbury

"Nobody can make us write what we don't want to write."

William Zinsser

"Writing is a form of personal freedom."

 Don Delillo

In short, there are more opportunities for writers to express themselves, today, than ever before in the history of civilized man. Take advantage of this grand freedom.

Write…and be grateful for the privilege!