Category Archives: How to become an author

A.C. Benson

How to become an author Letters to a young writer, 1920 Magdalene College Cambridge June 11 1920 Dear Mr. Jones, I am interested to read what you say in your letter. I must not however reply as fully as I could wish, as I am not very well just now, & cannot do much writing….

W. R. Raleigh

How to become an author Letters to a young writer, 1920 The Hangings, Ferry Kinksey, near Oxford 9 Oct. 1920 Dear Sir, It is a part of my business to help people here learn to write. Perhaps I can help them, a little, in two or three years. So what can I do for you?…

Compton Mackenzie

How to become an author Letters to a young writer, 1920 Markham House, Kings Road Chelsea, S.W. Aug. 1, ’20 Dear Mr. Jones, Forget that you intend to be a writer. Be quite sure in fact that you don’t intend to be a writer. Try every profession and occupation in turn with a profound belief…

George Bernard Shaw

How to become an author Letters to a young writer, 1920 13th April 1920 Lucan House Lucan Co. Dublin Dear Sir: I go to Welwyn, not to see people, but to avoid seeing them and get some work done. May I point out to you that the discrepancy of 48 years between our ages makes…

Lennox Robinson

How to become an author Letters to a young writer, 1920 Abbey Theatre Dublin Oct. 28th Dear Sir, Read the best English — the classical best English — and nothing but the best; live as fully as possible, mixing with all kinds of people; write constantly and burn most — or all — of what…

H. de Vere Stacpoole

How to become an author Letters to a young writer, 1920 Astle House Castle Hedingham Essex July 23rd ’20 Dear Mr. Jones, Many thanks for your letter. It is very difficult to give advice to a writer but I would suggest that you should read as much and as widely as possible — and write…

William Archer

How to become an author Letters to a young writer, 1920 27 Fitzroy Square, W.1. The name of my book mentioned by Sir Arthur Pinero is “Playmaking” (Chapman & Hall). Professor G. P. Baker of Harvard has written a book called (I think) “Dramatic Technique” (Houghton Mifflin, Boston). William Archer next: H. de Vere Stacpoole