Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-05-02
HOW ALPHONsE DAUDET WORKS.
The Novelist n TirelesS WORKER.
How He Utillxes Mater:al--.Pcr.
sOnal Appearance.
Paris Cor Philadelnhia Press

The Novelist u TirelesS WORKER.
How he UtilIxes Mater:al---Pcr.
sOnal Appearance.
Paris Cor. Philadelphia Presa]
The famous novelist is a tireless worker
He believes that genius. however great. cnn
accomplish nothing durable without labor
He is rapid composer, but his first Compost
ton is always revised and pt-revised, Otter
entirely changed, even reconstructed. Usu
ally he does not begin a new chapter until he
hos finished to his satisfaction the one he i
engaged upon. But when his whole manu-
script is complete, he goes over 1t word for
word, in the most critical spirit. If he finds
anything that he believes he can make better
he tries to mend it, regardless of the time
and toll it may cost him. He is uaquestiona-
bly, tormented, as so many great artist, have
been, with the passion for perfection.
1t is his habit to write between the two
breakfasts that Frenchmen take-the coffee
and rolls on rising, and the meal, about OF
o'clock in the afternoon, when meat eggs
and wine are served. His hours of compost.
ton average from four to six tally,
though they ara prolonged when he is anx.
ious to complete chapter OF situation that
and force il it were deferred until the NOR.
row. No author here or elsewhere is more
absorbed in his calling, which, Is rarely for.
gotten. He never sees or hears anything re-
markable that it does not present itself to his
alert and ever-vigilant mind as material to
be used for his art. 1t may be- said that he is
eternally composing; for, be where he
may, he is regarding his environ
ment Is possible fragment of future
story. His memory is singularly retentivo,
yet he seldom fails to record any
thought or incident or speech that may be
rendered serviceable. He has any number
of notebooks for the purpose, and does not
60 anywhere without one Of these OH his per.
son. In society. which he seems fond of, he
is rarely so much interested as not to be
thinking Of his trade.
Once when he had a sentimental scene
with his wife, something quite dramatic oc-
CURED, as the gossip goes, and he remarked:
"This seems,my dear, like a chapter that had
slipped out of a novel" 1T is more likely,
Alphonse," was the reply, ITO form chapter
that will slip into novel," Surely enough,
within year the scene was reproduced in
one Of Daudet's stories She evidently UNI
derstands her husbands method of compost
ton.
Daudet is decidedly handsome He has an
olive complexion, well-proportioned features,
dark, expressive eyes, and dark, thick hair,
falling abous his brow and ears, with full
flowing whiskers and untrmmel mrs:aches,
something after the manner of the art
students so prevalent in the Latin quarter
He looks like q son of the south, and his
vivacity of manner, copious gestures and
changing emotions, when he is moved and
among his intimates, denote the region of his
nativity. In general company, however, he
is often reserved as if he held check upon
himself, conscious Of his ferver and tendency
to observation-disclosures.
His writings have been very profitable,
particularly his later ones Authors who
have 10000 francs less than go, OOO( are &C.
counted rich here, and he is reputed to own
aproperty valued at 2,00J, 600 francs, or about
$4,000 all directly or indirectly the pro-
duct of his pen. "The Nabob," the most
popular of his novels, is said to have yielded
him loo, Coz francs, and 1t is still selling. The
gods have been kind t. him.