The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-05-24

II|~Tt a IIttNS NIEIVNt TIT F.t"'E
~ nothing more discouraging to the
vonng writer than this genius theory.
and for the relief of amy to whom 1t still
visits rs n b~ugabee, | will say that L
nm pretty sure it's Il myth The Only
Genius worth talking about. IN writing,
! sin everything else. IS the genius OF
hard work. OF course brains are neces-
sary and not all men have the menta
pquiunent to become successful authors,
but the idea that good literature comes
as i sort Of heayen-sent Inspiration Is
.rraueuus. Not to mention myself. | can
say from my acquaintance with success
ful authors. that most Of the good inter-
aturr of recent years has been ground
ont by painstaking and laborlous work.
suspect that the same thing would be
found TO be true of earlier writers, hau
there been spa ami reviews 10
probe into their daily lives and habits OF
work.
Closely akin to this genius delusion Is
the idea that Il man can write with good
results when the fit is on him. h IS a
lazy mans theory, but it is easy for a
Young author to persuade himself INTO
it. The only way for Il writer to accom-
pliSh anything is to set aside certain
hovls Of the day mot too many for his
WORK. ina To UtN Olt llilllNtlI " thS WIN
then rs completely as though he We're III
Il notice or Il factory. 1t may be hard
1T first, but he will soon become accus-
toned to il. and Will grow into the habit
of working ut that time | don't believe
in trying to write SO many words every
day. but if the writer devOteS Il certain
amount of time to his task, even If he
does not accomplish much at each sitting.
he will find the results mounting up III
Il satisfactory way. The man who waits
for inspiration is likely to wait 4 long
time for recognition.
DON'T LOSE YOURSELF IN YOUR
STORY.
4 don't believe that Il writer should
try to lose himself in his story, as is 50
often recommended. The advice sounds
well. but it isn't sound. | hold that the
greatest actor is the one who never for
gets himself. and 50 it is in writing. The
author should stand constantly III the
attitude of critic and inquire, Is this
true! Is it the way such Il character
would act or speak under such circum-
stances? He should have all his char
acters clearly delineated. They should
stand out plainly before his minds eye.
But. after all. they are the creations Of
MS W iiItiN b'Ai en- 49, - t'
50. if the story is to be worth anything.
"A sto the best time and the best
way to work each man must decide for
himself. | used to do most of my work
at night, Il survival of the newspaper
habit, | suppose. But now | have
changed to the morning. and nearly all
my work is lone before the noon hour.
| think that that is really the best time
that Il mans mind is freSher and moro
vigorous then. In composing | generally
use Il pen, because | want to see the
last word or sentence | have written.
where careful thought is involved and
| am going slowly. But | ave a type
writer in my study. and when | see plain
sailing ahead | turn to that. | may say.
too. that my greatest difficulty, and one
that | probably share with many other
writer's. is in making Il beginning. 1t is
mighty hard work sometimes to start 4
story that will always carry itself
along once it is under way.
NOT TOO MANY BOOKS.
1T is often said that too many books
= ~. ,y1.ittnn nnNya1ays lnn't nUG.pp