1560<sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>2</sub> East 20 Street
Los Angeles, Calif.

April 9, 1936

Dear Langston,

I'm awfully sorry that I haven't acknowledged your
letter before now. It seems that I would have inasmuch as it
means so much to me, but... well, I'm just a procras'tin'
ting lazybones. Really, there is no excuse.

Thanks for speaking to the editor of Esquire about my
stories. I hope your interest in me won't be in vain. I
hope I'll turn out something truly worthwhile. At any rate,
I shall keep trying.

The reason I haven't availed myself of the splendid
opportunity you offered me, Langston, is that the stories
you mentioned have been in the hands of two little magazines
(Pollen and Interlude) and have only recently come home -
with some very constructive criticism, by the way. I wish
to rewrite them before sending them out again, abiding by
some of this criticism. It seems one of my greatest faults
has been an appalling unawareness of "viewpoint". Hitherto,
I've written my stories from the "viewpoint" of several
characters. By doing this, I have failed to achieve the
emotional appeal and clarity that I might have, had I un-
folded my stories from the "viewpoint" of a single charac-
ter. The "viewpoint" of minor characters, I know now, should
be presented through conversation and action, etc.

When I rewrite these stories, if you are still willing
to help me, I will eagerly send them to you along with several
others that I have written since learning more about the

technique of writing. One thing, however, I insist that if
any of the stories, by the Grace of God should bring any
dough, you _must_ share it - at least an agent's commission.
Unless you agree to this, Langston, I can't impose on you.
I'm sure you'll understand, without any argument, how I feel
about that.

Frances and Henry; Hall Johnson and J. Marquis send re-
gards. I saw Hall the night after receiving your letter.
It was at a dance and reception honoring him in Pasadena -
he is living in Pasadena, by the way. He and Marquis intend
to remain here throughout the summer. Hall has contracted
to work in another picture.

Hoping you've made a pot-full of money from your play
and will make another pot-full from the musical show with
Duke Ellington.

Yours truly,

P. S. Give my congratulations to Bontemps for his fine
novel. Everyone with whom I've talked has read it with en-
thusiastic appreciation. The book reviews out here praised
it highly. I hope he makes a pot-full of money from it -
well, at least a half pot-full.

APARTAMENTOS CECIL

ARTICULO, 123 No. 53

ERIC. 3-63-09

MEX. J-96-90

MEXICO, D. F.

Air Mail

71/2 Langston Hughes
212 S. Pleasant, ST.
22568
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

Autobiography of Harry Armstrong

Was born in McAllister, Indian Territory on Easter morning shortly
before the Indian Territory became a part of the State of Oklahoma.

I should be lucky for my life has been divided into stages of seven:
lived in Oklahoma seven years; lived in Mississippi seven years; bumed
all over the country for seven years and was often in jail for vagrancy
and riding frights, but most of the time I was a second rate prize
fighter and an all around laborer in steel mills and meat packing plants.
I was bent at one time on becoming a Fine Art Painter, but I quit school
too early, and went to fighting and travelling.

I married and settled down two years ago. Wife's a good cook and I hope
she won't leave me after we've been married seven years.

Still in the fight game and sick of it.

Harry Armstrong
Los Angeles, Cal.