Creativity Tips: Never Assume Anything

My first day at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, one of the professors handed out a brochure covered with a single lesson: Never assume anything. 

It's good advice for a journalist or anyone else. When you're creating a work of art -- with words, with paint, with clay, whatever -- never assume that the reader/viewer will understand your message. Find a few first readers, first viewers. See what they see.

Valentine's Day always reminds me of this particular lesson. Years ago, I bought Tom a Paul Simon CD as a Valentine's Day gift. Wouldn't you think this would be romantic?

You're the one! Perfect for a Valentine!!

Yeah. No. The basic lyrics for the title song are ... You're the one. You broke my heart. You made me cry.

Never assume anything. And marry someone with a good sense of humor!