On how to be original

The semi-annual partial clear-out of files, papers etc, turned up a clipping by Victoria Coren, on some advice her late father Alan had given her and her brother Giles. It's a very useful thought indeed:

'Don't write the first thought that comes into your head,' he said, 'because that is what everyone will write. And don't write the second thought that comes into your head, because that is what the clever people will write. When you hit on a third thought, pick up the pen. That one is just yours.'