ContentsIN INTRODUCTION1.
THE FOUR DIFFICULTIESThe Difficulty of Writing at All; The “One-Book Author”; TheOccasional Writer; The Uneven Writer; The Difficulties not inTechnical Equipment.2.
WHAT WRITERS ARE LIKECultivating a Writer’s Temperament; False and Real Artists; The TwoSides of a Writer; “Dissociation” Not Always Psychopathic; EverydayExamples of a Dual Personality; The Slough of Despond3.
THE ADVANTAGES OF DUPLICITY The Process of Story Formation; The “Born Writer”; Unconscious andConscious; The Two Persons of the Writer; The Transparent Barrier;Keep Your Own Counsel; Your “Best Friend and Severest Critic”; TheRight Recreation; Friends and Books; The Arrogant Intellect; The TwoSelves Not at War; The First Exercise4.
Interlude: On Taking AdviceSave Your Energy; Imagination Versus Will in Changing Habits;Displacing Old Habits; A Demonstration; The Right Frame of Mind5.
Harnessing the UnconsciousWordless Daydreams; Toward Effortless Writing; Double Your“Output”6.
Writing On ScheduleEngaging to Write; A Debt of Honor; Extending the Exercise; Succeed,or Stop Writing7.
The First SurveyReading Your Work Critically; The Pitfalls of Imitation; Discovering Your Strength; A Footnote For Teachers8.
The Critic at Work on Himself A Critical Dialogue; Be Specific in Suggestions; Correction AfterCriticism; The Conditions of Excellence; Dictating a Daily Regime9.
Readings as a WriterRead Twice’ Summary Judgment and Detailed Analysis; The SecondReading; Points of Importance10.
On ImitationImitating Technical Excellences; How to Spend Words; CounteractingMonotony; Pick up Fresh Words11.
Learning to See AgainThe Blinders of Habit; Causes of Repetitiousness; RecapturingInnocence of Eye; A Stranger in the Streets; The Rewards of Virtue12.
The Source of OriginalityThe Elusive Quality; Originality Not Imitation; The “SurpriseEnding”; Honesty, the Source of Originality; Trust Yourself; “Your
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