'If you haven't surprised yourself, you haven't written.' Eudora Welty, born this day. Highly recommend her 'One Writer's Beginnings.'

'I wanted to see my name on the cover of a book. If your name is in the Library of Congress, you're immortal.' Tom Clancy, born this day.

What a lovely tribute. The second line made me gasp.

The news about the 1864 abortion law in Arizona brought to mind this stunner of a story by Brittny Mejia about how, not all that long ago, the LAPD had an abortion squad that went after women and their providers. Chilling history. latimes.com/california/sto…

I confess I'm a Soviet history geek, so when Christopher Goffard pitched a Column One involving a Stalin-era Russian novel, I was hooked. Chris artfully unspools a tale about art, history and repression. With an excellent video by Albert Brave Tiger Lee. latimes.com/california/sto…

What wonderful news for a true wordsmith. Bill Plaschke often makes me laugh out loud, but at least once a year he will write something with such insight and compassion that it reduces me to tears. Congrats, Bill!

It's official. L.A. Times Executive Editor Terry Tang solidifies her leadership position w/ a strong endorsement from Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong and his wife, Michele. Tang is the first female editor of Los Angeles Times in the paper's 142-year history. latimes.com/entertainment-…

'Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.' William Wordsworth, born this day.

Some articles I've read on recovering looted art were dry. In Los Angeles Times Column One, Stephanie Yang tackles the issue by unspooling a tale centered on a question. Pose a question, then answer it. That's drama. latimes.com/world-nation/s…

This elegant essay by my Los Angeles Times colleague John Penner captures the wonder and awe many will likely feel watching the eclipse. A lovely and thoughtful read, with surprising cameos by Milton, Ray Bradbury and Christopher Columbus.  latimes.com/world-nation/s…

While I was chatting with a writer yesterday about what motivates authors, this classic quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald came to mind: 'You don't write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.'

'Cats gotta scratch. Dogs gotta bite. I gotta write.' James Ellroy, born this day.

Researchers went to a Cambodian village looking for clues to solve a mystery: What happened to a statue looted from a temple? Stephanie Yang's Column One narrative on efforts to recover lost art works takes unexpected twists. latimes.com/world-nation/s…

'You must write for children the same way as you do for adults, only better.' Maxim Gorky, born this day.

Stories can be centered on people, but places can be excellent focusing devices too. Patrick J. McDonnell vividly recounts Texas' efforts to deter asylum-seekers by telling the story out of Gate 36, which almost becomes a character in itself. Smart storytelling. latimes.com/world-nation/s…

'No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.' Robert Frost, born this day. I bet he was referring to poetry and fiction, but this applies to nonfiction writers as well, perhaps more so.

'I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.' Flannery O'Connor, born this day.

'Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.' Louis L'Amour, born this day.

'Writing turns you into somebody who's always wrong. The illusion that you may get it right someday is the perversity that draws you on.' Philip Roth, born this day.

There are obsessive sports fans but then there's Lee Jae-ik, who's thrilled Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are playing in South Korea. In Column One, Max Kim explains how Lee found, in Ohtani, lessons in life as well as sport. latimes.com/world-nation/s…