I was paging through some vintage copies of National Lampoon yesterday (one of my favorite magazines ever, may it R.I.P) and found an entry from their short lived FROM THE SLUSH PILE series, where they remind readers why writers need editors with excerpts from actual submission to publishers from back in the day.

The bookcase was made of solid walnuts and polished to a high shine.

Mr. Phillips cleared his throat to make his presents felt.
The dishes done, Ruth sat down with a book of cross words.

This particular group of coal minors was the lowest of the low.

Her neatly coiffed hair, her clothes, her well modulated voice denied the wiry person she really was.

Just some food for thought while we put the finishing touches on our 'year in review' eschew--make that issue--of Between the Lines.