Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-08-21
How to Write a Novel.
AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THRILLING Ro-
NANCE CAN BE TURNED OUT.

NANCE CAN BE TURNED OUT.
If we had time we would write novels
lots of novels. They might not be very
novel novels, and they might not go bump
ing down the front doorsteps of time, but
they would be a great relief to us. The
| truth is, there are whole swarms of novels
buzzing around in our inner consciousness,
peking their noses into the interstices and
gnawing at the edges in their eagerness to
get out But there is no use thinking
about it; we haven't time. 1t occurs to us,
however, that we may make ourselves use
full to somebody else.
There seems to be plenty of ambitious
young persons who have all the time there
is and who would like to write novels, they
tell us, if they only knew how to start out.
Now, possibly we can help where they are
weakest Almost every day we see soma
thing that would furnish a first-class start
for an amateur novel. Only yesterday we
were coming down Thirteenth street
and
Well, novel might start out like this,
for instances
The rich, full moon had mounted high
and higher in the vaulted dome of blue
that canopied the silent valley of the Nile.
The hoopee birds had fled in flocks to take
their wonted places in the branches of the
sycamore and fig. All nature slept. A
sea Of golden sand rolled off beyond the
westward Ken. The mountains of the
east lay slumbering upon their couch OF
FURNISHED gold. The ripping river flung
the gheening moonbeams back, 80 prodlgal
they fell upon its bosom.
The Widow Dizhragh lay upon her rug
beside the open window of her chamber,
looking out upon the rich and dazzling
scenery of the night. All nature slept,
save Widow Dizhragb.
81 will do it," she said at last; 81 will
do it."
The round, red sun peeped slyly from
behind the rugged mountains of the east
The silver of the night was gone, and in itE
place rich gold was strewn. The sunbeams
kissed the dangling figs and woke the
hoopee birds; then romped away to ride
upon the laughing waters of the valley
god, and CLINT and CLEAN in wantonness Of
brilliancy.
, The Widow Dizhragh called her charm
ing daughter.
''Muzhera," said she, II have decided
r (which way, map
"We will take roomer."
(Which room, ma?''
serhe one back of the lumber in the
attic, dear. So, come; let us arrange"
The shortening of the shadow of the
tamarisk foretold the coming of the noon
tide. The scaraberi toled and relied hi
ball adown the slope and then anon a-aI
the slant. The corn bird sought the shade
1t was hotter than tunket.
FURNISHED Rooms"
] That was all the placard said.
"Why, ma" quer;ed Muzhera, "why dc
you drag the piano from its Wonteo
corneT?"
,, 81 would place it by the window, child
, that he who wayfaIes may note its pres
ence. Do you catch on?"
81 get your drift, ma, and approve
your ingenuity"
. flush, child; l have but just begun
1 Fetch me yon chair. Ne, no; not that one
with the broken back, nor yet the CHEAP
: one with the battered bottom. This one
nv child; this one of brocade velvet. See
Q it looks well, though its remaining three
uneven legs are MT the legs of use an6
g practice"
Thus was the furniture bestowed. Their
u all the blinds were drawn to shut away tht
Z, summer sun. It was not the golden sun
shine Widow Dizhragh would invite. Nay
+ not all the sun was shut away.
!. "That will do, dear. You may leave
! that blind and let the golden rays fall full
: upon the chair and the piano, that he wh'
. passes by may be beguiled within by. tn
y richness of our belongings"
= Here is good place to end the frs
l. chapter. By this time the readers interes
y is aroused He wonders who will take tn
/ room. He sees a chance for all sorts o
> dramatic situations when the roome
comes and as for '1ocal coloriug," that
y in fair way to make novel worthy of T;
/ nine days run if he who takes it up wher
!, we have laid it down but follows out tn
. gait set forth for him. Washington Post