Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-06-28
NOVEL WRITING.
MRS. ALExANDER TELLS HOW
HER STORIES ARE PRODUCED.

pal Heroine an important Factor.
It is very usual for outsiders TO ask
authors how they set about their books
and how they write them, as they
would ask for the receipt OF palata-
Bile pudding, having probably vague
ideas OF literary cooking. Unfortun-
ately, the ingredients OF the literary
mixture can not be set down in clearly
defined quantities, neither can the ex-
act amount OF needful mental simmer
ing be meted out. Yet, this process
of inc ubation is probably the most i'm
portant factor in the operation.
We have all wondered at the system
attic application OF Anthony Trollope,
as revealed in his autobiography-the
mechanical regularity with which he
turned out SO many pages a day--and
the easy, unlabored flow of these pages
when read. There must have been
some very unusual combination OF
method and spontaneity in the intel
lect that produced them. combina-
ton rarely to be found in men OF
genius. Again, many charming and
successful writer's trust to the inspira-
ton of happy moments, making little
or no plot. and hoping that one Incl
dent or one character will suggest an
other, begin anyhow, expecting their
personages and events to dictate their
own terms and elucidate the complica-
tons they have brought about.
To come down to my own very SIM
pie work, find that / am greatly
dominated by my people. To me
character is everything. Place the
workings of heart and mind willy
before your readers, and the incidents
which put them in motion are of small
Importance relatively. OF course a
stirring, interesting plot, with drama
tbs persona who move and feel like
life, makes an ideal-a perfect novel
such as few can produce.
My own stories have always been
suggested to me by some trait OF char
acter or disposition, which | have OBJ
served and adapted, rather than repro
duced. This; acted upon by adverse
and sympathetic natures, will always
create certain amount of action, OF
conflict, OF victory, or defeat, which
makes sufficient material for story.
The first idea with me is always OF
my leading woman U understand
womenD Then follow the people
grouped around her, the influence for
good or evil which they exercise, the
plot or succession of incidents which
bring them together
Then, most important of all, try
to see NY people. CAT this stage they
cease to be my puppets) Certain out
ward and visible signs must be the eX-
terror garment of particular inward
and spiritual graces or vices, yet this
outward seeming is of infinite variety
and endless subtle tones shading into
one another. Sometimes a complete
contradiction in manifestation mis-
leads. but by searching carefully the
clew to the inner spirit may be found!
Now, before | put my creatures on
paper | must see them, see the shape
of my heroine's head, the turn of her
throat, the expression rather than the
color of her eyes. the curve of her lips,
the proportion of her mouth-and, oh,
/ must hear her voice. 1t must not be
too loud nor too low; there must be
character in its modulations. Then /
must see her little defects, and resist
the temptation TO make her too perfect,
physically or mentally. for l love my
heroines! How hard it is to put down
all this, TO show my readers the picture
in my own mind. yet to keep my hand
from celebrating too much.
After my heroine come her kinsfollk
and acquaintance, who help to mold
her character and destiny. These.
too, l must see-see clearly their
oddities, generosities. meannesses,
falsehood, fidelity, their unexpected
CLEANS of goodness, their disappoint-
ing tumbles into selfishness and frailty,
with the outward and visible garb of
beauty, ugliness, grace, or grimness in
which they were enwrapped.
Then comes that appalling person
age, the hero! confess | quail before
him. Men are somewhat of sealed
book to me. 1 have known few, save
in their dress clothes and best man.
ners! Had l possessed half dozen
brothers, and lived with them in the
disillusioning light OF domesticity. they
would have been mine of literary
wealth! As it is, l touch my men with
cautious, hesitating fingers, only VEN
turing to depict them in the society OF
ladies. A bright and kindly critic
once wrote Of me: Mrs Alexander
never trusts herself alone with mani"
and / acknowledge the truth of her
observation.
Having grouped and identified ny
characters, / let my mind dwell upon
them collectively and individually.
Il l.