I only "write" for school.

I used to write fiction all the time in high school. I always meant to get back into it but it never happened. I've always had trouble finishing things. Short stories - no problem. If I try and write something longer, I usually get about 25-50 pages in or so and then run out of steam.

I don't mind working at my writing in order to get better.

Your sentence is better. I would tighten it up even more and say:

The age of atomic energy began, literally, with the wave of a wand.

Thank you! The phrase "could be said to have begun" is (I think the term fits) a passive voice and seems very unsure of itself.

I compose more written word than I'd prefer. Typically in the form of email, written proposals, technical documents, project descriptions, grant applications etc...


The only thing I write for fun would be "kick me" signs and outhouse poetry.

I do have a concept for a book, that I intend to write one day, when time allows.

I like yours better, but I was actually thinking maybe the person from the New Yorker didn't want the "could" or "might" at the beginning because it makes the sentence start off passive.

"The age of atomic energy began, literally, with the wave of a wand."

So, with Hamas and NewChief, there are two authoritative voices for getting rid of "One could/might say."

My question is then: Isn't that being too authoritative? Because one could say that the atomic energy age began before the wave of a wand.

Including "One could say" allows a more open-minded view of when the atomic energy age actually began. Plus, what if you don't actually believe that it began with the wave of a wand, but you just want to present that argument?

It's strange how enjoyable playing with the sentence is.

It's strange how enjoyable it is to play with the sentence.

Playing with the sentence provides such a strange enjoyment.

I want to become an English teacher.

Bad sentence: An English teacher I want to become.

Who are the best living writers? Scalia? Gladwell? Roth?