"Those who can write, those who can’t critque."

More fun for grammar geeks, by way of Dan Brown. Mrs. Beazly sent me this comment, pursuant to the post below, and it is also quite amusing. (She's still not convinced it wasn't planted there by Michael Deacon under a pseudonym, to make sport of the Renowned Mr. Brown's fans.)

Dan Brown has stated recently, and which I wholeheartedly agree, that he blends fact and fiction in a modern and efficient style to tell a story. Some people understand that and they’re his fans. Some people don’t and they’re his critics. Perhaps the lesson to be learned by Brown and aspiring authors is one of humility and not pride, (one of the seven deadly sins mentioned in Inferno.) Brown’s claim that the Da Vinci code was 99-percent fact branded him as a “heretic” in the eyes of the Vatican, alienated him to most literary critics, and potential readers, unfamiliar with Dan Brown. Perhaps INFERNO is Brown’s attempt at redemption. Those who can write, those who can’t critque. Inferno is a good book. Not up to his usual high standards found in The Lost Symbol, Angels and Demons, or The Da Vinci Code but I encourage all readers who love to read, who love good writing, who love thrillers, to read INFERNO and not listen to the critics, those who create, produce nothing.

"Everywhere I go I'm asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them. There's many a best-seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher."
— Flannery O'Connor

.