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When I was growing up, way back when Dinosaur Crossing signs were abundant, expiration dates on food hadn't been invented yet. As a result, I tend to ignore most of them today, especially for stupid things like a can of pop (southern translation: soda). Like Coke is going to grow green fuzz inside a vacuum-sealed can? Spare me.

But it got me thinking...do authors have expiration dates? Example: if Jane Austen submitted Pride and Prejudice to a Christian publisher today, would it be accepted as is? I'm guessing not. Currently, tight writing is all the rage, making Austen's verbose descriptions unacceptable. Stamp a big ol' red EXPIRED on top of that manuscript.

It's curious, then, that sales of Austen's books continue to remain steady. What's up with that?

Three words... STORY IS KING!

Not that I'm dissing fantastic writing, but if the story isn't plausible, relatable, and entertaining, great writing isn't going to doll it up enough to sell it. Take that to heart no matter what kind of writing you do, and you'll never expire.