Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-10
MISS HARRADEN'S FIRST.
1t Was Returned With a Letter of En-.
couraqement.

couragement.
While recently visiting a Chicago
friend, Miss Beatrice Harraden, the
English novelist, gave this account Of
her first experience as an author:
From the start, my aim was high.
When only II l made my first serious
literary attempt. 1t was a short
story called The Voice of the Violin
and summoned the bravery to send it.
to the Blackwood's magazine, wherein
George Eliot and many other great
British authors had made their fame.
Oh, how eagerly did l watch the post
for something from the celebrated edi-
the fate of my first effort. Finally
the token came. The bulky envelop
told me the story of rejection and dis
appointment. With the impulsive-
ness of an irritated school girl threw
the packet unopened into my trunk
md turned my thoughts in other direc
lions. Weeks later, in obedience to
another impulse of the moment, l
went to my chamber, took the envelop
from the trunk and tore it open.
There was the Inflated story, to be
sure, but with something which was
destined to exercise strong influence
upon the bent of my life. 1t was
long and kind autograph letter from
William Blackwood himself, in which
he said that, though the first little
story could not be given place in the
pages of the magazine, he saw in 1t
the promise of things to come so eX-
ce1lent that he felt convinced that ex-
perience would make me real Black
woods writer. This compliment was
not lost on me, for 1 was familiar with
the rich literary traditions of the
Blackwood's house. The letter also
invited me to continue sending stories
until acceptance should finally be the
reward of perseverance, and assured
me that Mr. Blackwood would give me
the benefit of personal criticism.
'"That first story was sent to Bel
gravia and accepted but my ambition
was to get something into BlackwOod's.
Time after time | sent to the famous
Edinburgh house the best work OF
which I was capable-only to receive
it back again with a generously pains
taking letter. pointing out its defects
and giving definite advice for future
efforts"
| Beatrice Harraden confesses her
self ''fnery BIZ 'atriot," and just
before sailing for England a few
CHI
to get back so that | can go down to
the docks and welcome the victorious
soldier boys as they come home from
fighting the Beers. Why, | haven't
had so much as a chance for one good,
rousing, patriotic cheer. But I'll
make up for lost time when | get back
to the dear old town where the air is
full of just that sort of thing"
Miss Harraden mas probably the
shortest working day OF any writer
who 1abors SYSTEMATICALLY. She per
mits herself to work but ninety
minutes a day. In this brief time,
however, she accomplishes a marvel
Gus amount of work. When asked if
she did not do any mental work out
size OIL u0I dppOIuCSu uOuI cAu o. A0"AA
of labor she answered.
feUnconsciously, perhaps, but not
to focus anything. During all the re-
mainder of the time l try to be dill
gently idle so far as literary thought
lis concerned" OF her own novels
Miss Harraden is said to regard "The
Fowler as a much stronger piece Of
work that "Ships That Pass in the
Might"