Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-12-23
CLUB LIST.
TO YOUNG AUTHORS.
BY ROBERT F DoTY.

~
v,m,hs. who are scattered here and there,
to write for the public. What vague
dfea,1. to think person will succeed
financially, unless he or she be OF the
most extraordinary caliber.
Comparisons show that but very few
make authorship self-supporting. Htakes
a person of genius and wide range OF
knowledge tomake successful authorin
auy department of literature, whether 1t
he science, bellies letters, felton, poetry,
OF music. '
Too many have made story-writing a
failure, in attempting to make a success
of it pecuniarily, when they knew Oh
nothing but sickly sentimentalism, SEN
sationalism, Irritation, and unmatured
plots, while, on the other hand, had they
possessed knowledge of general things
there might have been hopes for sue
cess.
It is true that fiction does not consist
in being dry abstract but philosophical,
terse. and teachable. Dickens novels
were a success for the reason that he
had a wide range Of knowledge, and
knew how to paint character in all Its
phases. His works are not immoral char
acterizings, but deal with low life and
high life alike. Pictures of low life and
high life, misery and misfortune, loyless
and jovial, back-alley and court, light
house and moor-land, to speak in regard
to thought.
Edgar Allan Poe's fame rests on botf
poetry and sketches, and these are du'
to his range of weird, and sometimes
doleful thoughts, coupled with ricl
imagination and ingenuity in de1terousl.
shaping the matter.
To be a good author, one needs .
know something Of the world, an extern
sive knowledge Of authors and the'
books, most splendid imagination, ele
gance, and unity Of sentiment.
There is no greater mistake than Try
ing to seek name through the LOCI
press. Nay, should you write at al
please contribute to the most respec
able journals. Then you may hope
zee your contributions in shape, wit
none of the typographical errors 80 con
q, mon in the country newspapers. I1u
the local press ful6ls q mission and
good one, too-and that mission rs
give an epiton,e Of current news OF i
locality. Country editors scarcely ev
have any taste for literature, hence thu
care SO little for it that they make
contributors of this class candidates Il
their waste basket, without much thong
or critical Judgment.
1t is.true that some persons have mo
natural talent toward what goes to ma
up q polished literature than othel
Some have the delicate sentiments
willie others the sublime some t
power of deception, while others t
irresistible and humorous. Some 81
in poesy, while others partake OF t
strongly aratorical. But withall this no
need expect to become standards wit
out great research.
Being good writer comes OF STUD
perseverance and great observation. L
mind must develop and expand, to grf
things as they are. 1t must not
thought that writer runs up like 80
vegetable of South America, which
tains growth Of twenty or thirty fee
single night, but more like the cent
plant, of slow growth, but sure.
And now we might give some hint
regard to beginning. Do not attemp
write on any subject until you are
yersant with it. Make your subjec
study, and when you handle it, d.
with as much care as if it were 81
ware. Do not attempt to make it
long; say what you know and quit. Al
repetition and court perspicuity,
nothing looks more absurd than to
whole string Of repetitions.
On the other hand, do not leave r
er in doubt as to your meaning. Be
and explicit, for such is the meet
well-meant writings. Genius, struct
sty'e, beauty, taste and harmon.
toward making up the whole needfu
ouisites in writing. Read DR.. Bl
Eretolic-University edition.
BY the use of Good common 81
provided intellect and ingenuity ar
able, many may make passable WI
By the use of common sense and |
verance in keeping it, many will
themselves great pains by not dab
into literature. You will make g
success at mauling rails, then if you
so, go toll and sweat and never comp