Brick By Brick

"That word though, if it is a word: Overwritten. In recent years it's become a sledgehammer in the hands of too many cowardly, unambitious, ladder-climbing, cow-in-a-swivel-chair editors. The good ones know how to tell you where to dial it back, and finding a good one is mission critical. I've been lucky in that regard. The bad ones are hanging a kneejerk, uninspired, boardroom groupthink scarlet O on stylish writing." — Michael Brick

I can't remember when I first saw Michael Brick's byline. Definitely sometime after we moved from West Texas to New York, after 9/11. Trolling Nexis for a few days is no big help. I've had a few beers since 2001. Maybe it was when he was still on the New York…