{Writers, Publishers, Readers [continued (4)]}[1st April 1989]

[Redbook6:119-120)][19890401:2300]{Writers, Publishers, Readers [continued (4)]}[1st April 1989]

.2300

In a way, the serious writer’s* predicament is epitomised by the saga of [2] and my uncle [U].** I sent him an extract in about May last year – xS’s 2 public question-and-answer sessions. He asked if there was any more like that. I sent him the whole lot, word-processed and perfect[-]bound, in about June, plus a couple of later comments and corrections – and invitations to visit us. He promised to visit and said he hoped to read the book. Then, from c. July [last year] – silence.

I was anxious. Did he not like it? Was he getting other opinions? Suddenly last week – Wednesday before Easter – he phoned, appeared, stayed the night. We discussed all sorts of things relevant to, and in, the book; books in general; my writing; but never my book. In the morning I wondered if I might have the copy back. [U] seemed surprised; and it became apparent, considering also earlier remarks, that he had thought of it as a complimentary copy, had shelved it – had not read it!*** We are sending an s.a.e. for its return.

But this is the problem encapsulated:

(a) that novels are regarded as light entertainment, and hence low down on the list of priorities ever actually to get read;

(b) (I suspect) that the conditions of modern life do not provide most people with the sustained periods of outer peace necessary to allow the re-creation of inner worlds – which is what fiction is actually about.

*(irrespective of talent [or otherwise])

**[who also wrote at least one work of [historical] fiction, which was unpublished]

***{It later seemed that he had}

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