The ‘sitter’s manifesto’ on writing

At least a few more writers these days are practicing their craft while standing, enough so that it prompted one writer to explore the trend by writing a manifesto about sitting.

Also, the meaning of essays, Lyndon B. Johnson’s speechwriting rules, fossil words, and whether it matters that readers like or dislike you?

Write with substance. Write with anonymity: LBJ speechwriter Robert Hardesty died this week. His obituary in The Washington Post provides glimpses into LBJ’s philosophy toward speeches and speechwriting; they are well worth remembering if you write speeches or create content. The first—that speeches need to make news—is admirable for its dedication to quality content. The second—that speechwriters must have a “passion for anonymity”—is an unfortunate aspect of the profession.