Robert Barr (whose pseudonym, "Luke Sharp," is familiar to the readers of theDetroit Free Press) has written an article on "How a Literary Man Should Live," which may be cited in conclusion:—
"I am not," he says, "an advocate of early rising. I believe, however, that every literary man should have fixed hours for getting up. I am very firm with myself on that score. I make it a rule to rise every morning in winter between the hours of six and eleven, and in summer from half-past five until ten. A person is often tempted to sleep later than the limit I tie myself to, but a little resolution with a person's self at first will be amply repaid by the time thus gained, and the feeling one has of having conquered a tendency to indolence. I believe that a literary man can get all the sleep he needs between eight o'clock at night and eleven in the morning. I know, of course, that some eminent authorities disagree with me, but I am only stating my own experience in the matter, and don't propose to enter into any controversy about it.
"On rising I avoid all stimulating drinks,such as tea or coffee. They are apt to set the brain working, and I object to work, even in its most disguised forms. A simple glass of hot Scotch, say half a pint or so, serves to tide over the period between getting up and breakfast-time. Many literary men work before breakfast, but this I regard as a very dangerous habit. I try to avoid it, and so far have been reasonably successful. I rest until breakfast-time. This gives the person a zest for the morning meal.
"For breakfast the simplest food is the best. I begin with oyster stew, then some cold chicken, next a few small lamb chops and mashed potatoes, after that a good-sized beefsteak and fried potatoes, then a rasher of bacon with fried eggs (three), followed by a whitefish or two, the meal being completed with some light, wholesome pastry, mince pie for preference. Care should be taken to avoid tea or coffee, and I think a word of warning ought to go forth against milk. The devastation that milk has wrought among literary men is fearful to contemplate. They begin, thinking that if they find it is hurting them, they can break off, but too often before they awaken to their danger the habit has mastered them. I avoid anything at breakfast except a large tumbler of brandy, with a little soda water added to give it warmth and strength.
"No subject is of more importance to the literary aspirant than the dividing of the hours of work. I divide the hours just as minutely as I can, and then take as few of the particles as possible. I owe much of my success in life to the fact that I never allow work to interfere with the sacred time between breakfast and dinner. That is devoted to rest and thought. Much comfort can be realized during these hours by thinking what a stir you would make in the literary world if you could hire a man like Howells for five dollars a week to do your work for you. Such help, I find, is very difficult to obtain, and yet some people hold that the labor market is overcrowded. The great task of the forenoon should be preparation for the mid-day meal. The thorough enjoyment of this meal has much to do with a man's success in this life.
"Of course, I do not insist that a person should live like a hermit. Because he breakfasts frugally, that is no reason why he should not dine sumptuously. Some people dine at six and merely lunch at noon. Others have their principal meal in the middle of the day, and have a light supper. There is such merit in both these plans that I have adopted both. I take a big dinner and a light lunch at noon, and a heavy dinner and a simple supper in the evening. A person whose brain is constantlyworried about how he can shove off his work on somebody else has to have a substantial diet. The bill of fare for dinner should include everything that abounds in the market—that the literary man can get trusted for.
"After a good rest when dinner is over, remain quiet until supper-time, so that the brain will not be too much agitated for the trials that come after that meal.
"I am a great believer in the old adage of 'early to bed.' We are apt to slight the wisdom of our forefathers; but they knew what they were about when they advised early hours. I always get to bed early,—say two or three in the morning. I do not believe in night work. It is rarely of a good quality. The brain is wearied with the exertions of the day and should not be overtaxed. Besides, the time can be put in with less irksomeness at the theatre, or in company with a lot of congenial companions who avoid the stimulating effects of tea, coffee, and milk. Tobacco, if used at all, should be sparingly indulged in. I never allow myself more than a dozen cigars a day; although, of course, I supplement this with a pipe.
"When do I do my literary work? Why, next day, of course."
is a monthly magazine to interest and help all literary workers. It was started in 1887, and is now (1894) in its seventh volume.The Writeris unique—the only magazine in the world devoted solely to explaining the practical details of literary work. Its remarkable success shows that such a periodical was needed, and thatThe Writerexactly supplies the need.
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IF YOU WRITE, USE"Goodrich" PenholdersThe very best for prose and poetry, and quite satisfactory for acknowledging receipt of publishers' checks.Bear in mind the name, GOODRICH, Akron, Ohio.
LITERARY FOLKS SHOULD USE"Goodrich" ErasersANDRubber Bands.Always satisfactory and very conducive to choice gems of thought.ALL DEALERS KEEP THEM.Don't forget the name,GOODRICH, Akron, Ohio.
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The number of writers who know where to find thebestmarket for their productions is exceedingly limited. Such a knowledge implies a long and familiar acquaintance with periodical literature.
A manuscript, to be acceptable, must fit the publication to which it is offered as a glove to the hand. If it does not, the editor will decline it as "unsuitable," usually adding that "this does not necessarily imply lack of merit."
It occasionally happens that an article, otherwise acceptable, is refused because at one or two points it fails to meet requirements.
The editor seldom cares to make necessary explanations in such cases, and therefore simply "begs leave to decline with thanks."
It was with a view to rendering much-needed assistance to authors in marketing their manuscripts that The Writer's Literary Bureau was organized in September, 1887, under the management of a gentleman who for many years had been connected with one of our largest publishing houses. The enterprise has prospered and developed, until now the Bureau is prepared, and offers, to undertake every sort of work between author and publisher.
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[Illustration: pointing hand]
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In consequence of many urgent requests, the Bureau has opened a commission department, and will undertake the sale of manuscripts, when desired, on the following terms: Every manuscript must be submitted in the regular way, and accompanied by the fees for reading. If the author wishes the Bureau to act as selling agent, and the manuscript is found to be worth work in that line, the author will be required to make a postage deposit of an amount sufficient to pay the cost of mailing the manuscript to and from six or seven publishers, with an additional charge of ten cents for each time that the manuscript is sent out, to cover expense of registration, stationery, etc. When the manuscript is sold, any unexpended balance of the postage deposit will be returned to the author, together with 75 per cent. of the amount received from the publisher, the Bureau retaining 25 per cent. as its commission. The Bureau will not assume responsibility for loss or damage during handling or transmission of manuscripts, or for the failure of publishers to make payment, but every precaution will be taken to prevent loss. Address:—
A Manual for Editors, Reporters, Correspondents, and Printers.ByRobert Luce. Fourth edition (seventh thousand); revised and greatly enlarged. 96 pp. Cloth, $1.00.
"Writing for the Press" is a practical handbook of the art of newspaper writing, written by a practical newspaper man. There is no "padding" in it; almost every line contains a useful hint or suggestion about the proper preparation of newspaper "copy," and a wonderful amount of information of use to writers is crowded into its carefully-written pages. The work is the result of the practical experience of the author as desk editor on theBoston Globe, and was written in the main from notes made while handling MS. there and elsewhere.
Four editions of "Writing for the Press" have been required. For each edition the work has been revised and enlarged, so that it has grown from forty-two to ninety-six pages,—yet, it is believed, without the addition of a useless sentence. New matter has been added partly to make the book more useful to newspaper writers, and partly to bring within its scope all other writers. Therefore, those who bought copies of earlier editions will find it desirable to buy copies of the fourth edition as well.
That literary workers of every class will find "Writing for the Press" exceedingly helpful, both for study and for reference, is shown by these subject-headings: The Preparation of Copy; How to Write Clearly; Grammar, Good and Bad; Use and Misuse of Common Words and Phrases (with several hundred examples); Mixed Metaphors; Slang; The Use of Titles; Puzzling Plurals; Condensation; Points on Proof-reading; Addressing Editors; Getting into Print, etc. The book is one that every writer should keep upon his desk for constant reference and study.
Newspaper editors, who are naturally the best judges of the value of such a work, all commend Mr. Luce's book. For instance, theBoston Advertisersays of it: "It is a remarkably compact and useful little manual, full of the wisest and most practical suggestions in regard to the mechanical requirements for the proper preparation of manuscript; the right use of doubtful and frequently misused words; punctuation; matters of style; and errors of arrangement." TheCriticsays: "It is full of sound advice and practical suggestions."
Quantities of the book have been bought by the managers of leading daily newspapers for distribution among their editors, reporters, and correspondents,—among others by theBoston Herald,Globe,Journal, andTranscript, theNew York World, and theChicago News. Special rates will be made to newspaper managers on quantities for distribution in this way.
The new edition of "Writing for the Press" is handsomely bound in cloth, and will be sent, post-paid, on receipt of price, ONE DOLLAR. Address:—