‘What I really had was the ability to tell a story’

Rinehart, Mary Roberts

Typed letter, signed ("Mary Roberts Rinehart"), to Miss Weir, answering questions concerning the beginning of Rinehart's writing career

1 p. typed on personal stationery. 4to, New York, 530 Park Avenue: September 29, 1945. Fine. With original original mailing envelope. In custom maroon cloth folding case.

Written later in her career, the same year that the Yellow Room was published, Rinehart talks about her natural ability as a writer and her lack of formal training. She writes: “I am a long time in answering your letter, but I have just come home from the country. In reply to your questions, I started to write at the age of twenty-seven, when I had three small children. I was fortunate in that I sold my very first short story to Munsey's Magazine, but none of my relatives were writers. In fact, I had never known a professional author. I had no help at all. What I really had was the ability to tell a story, and that I think is what every writer must begin with. Other things can be taught, but not that.”

Item #247876       Price: $200.00