WRITERS ON WRITING

New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 767, 2 April 1954, Page 13

WRITERS ON WRITING

SOME PRINCIPLES OF FICTION, by Robert Liddell; Jonathan Cape, English price 12/6. THE WRITER’S RADE, by L. A. G. Strong; Methuen, English price 7/6. HEN Mr. Liddell begins by discussing the difficulties of the writer in the world of today (which he exaggerates), the value of the individual (continued on next page)

OOKS (continued from previous page) (which he doesn’t), and so on, he speaks to every intelligent reader. This is true also, though perhaps less so, of his notes at the end about Alain-Fournier, Forrest Reid and Proust, writers who in different ways bore witness to "something permanent in human nature""our desire for. our true country which is not here." The rest of the book is a collection of notes likely to interest only writers, critics and a few others, who will find it learned, stimulating and provocative. "There is no certain prospect of work as a writer for anybody," says Mr. Strong, in capital letters, in his foreword. But if you must write here are some of the more important tips from a very experienced writer, set down at the suggéstion of the Society of Authors. The title is accurate, for this is a practical, handbook; though it should be said that Mr. Strong doesn’t see authorship as only a trade. Where there is.a real conflict between telling the truth as you see it and pleasing the public he is unhesitatingly on the side of honesty.

F.A.

J.